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Stephanie Plum #14
Fearless Fourteen
Personal vendettas, hidden treasure, and a monkey named Carl will send bounty hunter Stephanie Plum on her most explosive adventure yet.
The Crime: Armed robbery to the tune of nine million dollars.
Dom Rizzi robbed a bank, stashed the money, and did the time. His family couldn t be more proud. He always was the smart one.
The Cousin: Joe Morelli
Joe Morelli, Dom Rizzi, and Dom s sister, Loretta, are cousins. Morelli is a cop, Rizzi robs banks, and Loretta is a single mother waiting tables at the firehouse. The all-American family.
The Complications: Murder, kidnapping, destruction of personal property, and acid reflux.
Less than a week after Dom s release from prison, Joe Morelli has shadowy figures breaking into his house and dying in his basement. He s getting threatening messages, Loretta is kidnapped, and Dom is missing.
The Catastrophe: Moonman
Morelli hires Walter Mooner Dunphy, stoner and inventor turned crime fighter, to protect his house. Morelli can t afford a lot on a cop s salary, and Mooner will work for potatoes.
The Cupcake: Stephanie Plum
Stephanie and Morelli have a long-standing relationship that involves sex, affection, and driving each other nuts. She s a bond enforcement agent with more luck than talent, and she s involved in this bank-robbery-gone-bad disaster from day one.
The Crisis: A favor for Ranger
Security expert Carlos Manoso, street name Ranger, has a job for Stephanie that will involve night work. Morelli has his own ideas regarding Stephanie s evening activities.
The Conclusion: Only the fearless should read Fourteen.
Thrills, chills, and incontinence may result.
The Crime: Armed robbery to the tune of nine million dollars.
Dom Rizzi robbed a bank, stashed the money, and did the time. His family couldn t be more proud. He always was the smart one.
The Cousin: Joe Morelli
Joe Morelli, Dom Rizzi, and Dom s sister, Loretta, are cousins. Morelli is a cop, Rizzi robs banks, and Loretta is a single mother waiting tables at the firehouse. The all-American family.
The Complications: Murder, kidnapping, destruction of personal property, and acid reflux.
Less than a week after Dom s release from prison, Joe Morelli has shadowy figures breaking into his house and dying in his basement. He s getting threatening messages, Loretta is kidnapped, and Dom is missing.
The Catastrophe: Moonman
Morelli hires Walter Mooner Dunphy, stoner and inventor turned crime fighter, to protect his house. Morelli can t afford a lot on a cop s salary, and Mooner will work for potatoes.
The Cupcake: Stephanie Plum
Stephanie and Morelli have a long-standing relationship that involves sex, affection, and driving each other nuts. She s a bond enforcement agent with more luck than talent, and she s involved in this bank-robbery-gone-bad disaster from day one.
The Crisis: A favor for Ranger
Security expert Carlos Manoso, street name Ranger, has a job for Stephanie that will involve night work. Morelli has his own ideas regarding Stephanie s evening activities.
The Conclusion: Only the fearless should read Fourteen.
Thrills, chills, and incontinence may result.
334 pages, Paperback
First published June 17, 2008
1129 people are currently reading
17510 people want to read
About the author
Janet Evanovich
332 books41k followersJanet Evanovich is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Stephanie Plum series, the Lizzy and Diesel series, twelve romance novels, the Alexandra Barnaby novels and Trouble Maker graphic novel, and How I Write: Secrets of a Bestselling Author, as well as the Fox and O'Hare series with co-author Lee Goldberg.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,861 reviews
April 30, 2023
Book Review
4 of 5 stars to Fearless Fourteen, the 14th book in the "Stephanie Plum" mystery series, written in 2008 by Janet Evanovich. Another fine adventure in the life of a normal, every-day gal who just happens to be a bounty hunter. Everything you'd expect shows up in this one... Ranger's after Stephanie in his normal sly approach. She takes on a job working for him and finds herself lusting even more than usual. But she still sorta loves Joe. Except he's got his hands full with someone trying to kill him. When he hires a loon to protect the house while he's at work, the pot smoking but reformed kook can't keep up. And let's not forget about the monkey who has a thing for one or two of our favorite characters. Call it 1/3 romance, 1/3 humor and 1/3 mystery. Not really exceptionally strong in any one particular area, but when you combine it all together, you have a 4 or 5 hour ride you'll enjoy. But with 26 books in the series... there's got to be something different each time. Sometimes Evanovich succeeds. Sometimes she doesn't. This is a good one.
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. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
4 of 5 stars to Fearless Fourteen, the 14th book in the "Stephanie Plum" mystery series, written in 2008 by Janet Evanovich. Another fine adventure in the life of a normal, every-day gal who just happens to be a bounty hunter. Everything you'd expect shows up in this one... Ranger's after Stephanie in his normal sly approach. She takes on a job working for him and finds herself lusting even more than usual. But she still sorta loves Joe. Except he's got his hands full with someone trying to kill him. When he hires a loon to protect the house while he's at work, the pot smoking but reformed kook can't keep up. And let's not forget about the monkey who has a thing for one or two of our favorite characters. Call it 1/3 romance, 1/3 humor and 1/3 mystery. Not really exceptionally strong in any one particular area, but when you combine it all together, you have a 4 or 5 hour ride you'll enjoy. But with 26 books in the series... there's got to be something different each time. Sometimes Evanovich succeeds. Sometimes she doesn't. This is a good one.
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. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
June 18, 2008
I’m not going to give a book synopsis. What I am going to do is say goodbye to one of my all time favorite series. The last couple of books have been horrible, silly and ridiculous; this one was no exception.
The characters I once loved and look forward all year to hearing from are barely visible. The little quirks that used to make them unique and funny are now taking over their entire persona making them slightly moronic. The dialogue that used to be naturally witty seems forced and contrived. Jokes, gags and antics that once made me laugh have been recycled and reused so much, it’s sad.
No one in this series is growing or getting anywhere, they are all just going in circles. I want Stephanie to get better at the bounty hunter thing; I want her to grow up. I don’t want her or Ranger or Joe to change, but after so many years you expect SOMETHING of substance to happen.
I barely got through this book. Janet has provided hours of entertainment for me in the past with this series and for that I will always be grateful. But I can’t for the life of me see myself shelling out the big bucks for these hardcover books filled with drivel anymore.
I hope that Janet rethinks what she has been doing with this series lately and gives it a much needed overhaul. The last couple of books have seemed rushed and phoned in, a huge departure from the earlier books in the series.
My days of rushing to the bookstore on release dates are over. When book 15 comes out I will wait to read reviews, first. If the reviews make the book look promising, maybe I will read it. But from where I sit now, I don’t see me opening another ‘new’ Plum adventure. I will reread the older and much better books in the series if I need a Plum fix.
Cherise Everhard, June 2008
The characters I once loved and look forward all year to hearing from are barely visible. The little quirks that used to make them unique and funny are now taking over their entire persona making them slightly moronic. The dialogue that used to be naturally witty seems forced and contrived. Jokes, gags and antics that once made me laugh have been recycled and reused so much, it’s sad.
No one in this series is growing or getting anywhere, they are all just going in circles. I want Stephanie to get better at the bounty hunter thing; I want her to grow up. I don’t want her or Ranger or Joe to change, but after so many years you expect SOMETHING of substance to happen.
I barely got through this book. Janet has provided hours of entertainment for me in the past with this series and for that I will always be grateful. But I can’t for the life of me see myself shelling out the big bucks for these hardcover books filled with drivel anymore.
I hope that Janet rethinks what she has been doing with this series lately and gives it a much needed overhaul. The last couple of books have seemed rushed and phoned in, a huge departure from the earlier books in the series.
My days of rushing to the bookstore on release dates are over. When book 15 comes out I will wait to read reviews, first. If the reviews make the book look promising, maybe I will read it. But from where I sit now, I don’t see me opening another ‘new’ Plum adventure. I will reread the older and much better books in the series if I need a Plum fix.
Cherise Everhard, June 2008
November 23, 2013
You know what I realized after reading a Stephanie Plum book after such a long gap?
That you should read Stephanie Plum book after long gaps.
Last time I read this series, I read around 7 books at once and that's why I found them boring and losing their touch as the series progressed.
Yes, these books are repetitive but they are just full of mindless fun, you should concentrate more on the "fun" part or else it gets boring for you. I had thought I wouldn't be able to read this series beyond 13th book but during my exams I needed an amusing book in a familiar setting so I picked this up and it ended with me loving it.
Every single book by Janet Evanovich is equally hilarious but we don't realize it 'coz we're busy reading it in a frenzy.
I'll read the sequels, definitely, but not in succession, like I did before, I'll read them in certain intervals to get their real essence.
One thing now is clear to me - I still love this series. :3
That you should read Stephanie Plum book after long gaps.
Last time I read this series, I read around 7 books at once and that's why I found them boring and losing their touch as the series progressed.
Yes, these books are repetitive but they are just full of mindless fun, you should concentrate more on the "fun" part or else it gets boring for you. I had thought I wouldn't be able to read this series beyond 13th book but during my exams I needed an amusing book in a familiar setting so I picked this up and it ended with me loving it.
Every single book by Janet Evanovich is equally hilarious but we don't realize it 'coz we're busy reading it in a frenzy.
I'll read the sequels, definitely, but not in succession, like I did before, I'll read them in certain intervals to get their real essence.
One thing now is clear to me - I still love this series. :3
June 23, 2023
Fearless Fourteen (Stephanie Plum, #14) by Janet Evanovich
Synopsis /
Dom Rizzi robbed a bank, stashed the money and did the time. His family couldn't be more proud. Dom happens to be the cousin of Joe Morelli, Stephanie's off-again, on-again boyfriend, so when less than a week after Dom's release from prison, Joe has shadowy figures breaking into his house and dying in his basement, Stephanie finds herself involved in this bank-robbery-gone-bad disaster. With an offer from Ranger of some night work she can't refuse, personal vendettas, hidden treasure and a monkey named Carl, it's not long before Stephanie Plum is embroiled in her most explosive adventure ever!
My Thoughts /
In a tribute to Fearless Fourteen, let's see how many, ahem, 'F' words I can Faultlessly Fling into my review. And everyone, do lets kindly remember that this is a Family G-Rated review - so be Friendly in the comments section!
Frankly, I love coming back into the Plum Fold. Yes, I'm a Fan. I'm not too Fanatical mind you; but I do comfortably Favour this series.
With Fearless Fourteen, Evanovich has Flexed her writing imagination and Filled yet another book with Fast Food, Fashion Faux pas, a Frenzied primate, has Stephanie doing a Favour for Ranger and being Frisked by Morelli, there is a kid called Zook Firing partially cooked potatoes out of a homemade pipe gun, and a Freezer Full of Fresh eggs, birthday cake, oh yeah, and two human toes.
In this instalment our (sometimes) Floundering protagonist is Facing one of her most Frightening Felons yet. Joe Morelli, Dom Rizzi, and Dom's sister, Loretta, are cousins. Morelli (as you know) is a cop, Dom Rizzi robs banks, and Loretta Rizzi is a single mother (to Zook) waiting tables at the firehouse. Now years ago, Dom was one in a gang of Four crims who robbed a bank. Armed robbery to the tune of nine million dollars. Dom was caught, convicted, and did time in jail. The money was never Found. Less than a week after Dom's release from prison, and Joe Morelli has shadowy Figures breaking into his house and dying in his basement, and random people are digging up his yard looking for the stash. Then Loretta is kidnapped, and Dom goes missing. It's a race against time to find Loretta (before she runs out of toes) and for Dom to Fess up and tell everyone where he hid the loot.
All our Familiar Favourites are back - Former 'Ho, Lula; ex Special Forces and fatigue wearing Fresh Food eating Ranger, and the Forever to remain boyfriend material Morelli.
And to test your knowledge, let's play a game of 'who wore this'. Good Luck! (the answers are in the spoiler below):-
(a) He was wearing black slacks, black blazer, black dress shirt with a black tie. The black tie had a black stripe. If GQ ran an issue on contract killers, he’d make the cover.
(b) She’s a plus-size black woman who likes to squash herself into too small clothes featuring animal print and spandex.
How did you go?
If you've made it to here in my review, you deserve a reward! So no more 'f' words will I speak!!
Oh, Fiddlesticks, who am I kidding.
Finally. In conclusion. Only those of you Feigning Fear should read Fourteen.
Synopsis /
Dom Rizzi robbed a bank, stashed the money and did the time. His family couldn't be more proud. Dom happens to be the cousin of Joe Morelli, Stephanie's off-again, on-again boyfriend, so when less than a week after Dom's release from prison, Joe has shadowy figures breaking into his house and dying in his basement, Stephanie finds herself involved in this bank-robbery-gone-bad disaster. With an offer from Ranger of some night work she can't refuse, personal vendettas, hidden treasure and a monkey named Carl, it's not long before Stephanie Plum is embroiled in her most explosive adventure ever!
My Thoughts /
In a tribute to Fearless Fourteen, let's see how many, ahem, 'F' words I can Faultlessly Fling into my review. And everyone, do lets kindly remember that this is a Family G-Rated review - so be Friendly in the comments section!
Frankly, I love coming back into the Plum Fold. Yes, I'm a Fan. I'm not too Fanatical mind you; but I do comfortably Favour this series.
With Fearless Fourteen, Evanovich has Flexed her writing imagination and Filled yet another book with Fast Food, Fashion Faux pas, a Frenzied primate, has Stephanie doing a Favour for Ranger and being Frisked by Morelli, there is a kid called Zook Firing partially cooked potatoes out of a homemade pipe gun, and a Freezer Full of Fresh eggs, birthday cake, oh yeah, and two human toes.
In this instalment our (sometimes) Floundering protagonist is Facing one of her most Frightening Felons yet. Joe Morelli, Dom Rizzi, and Dom's sister, Loretta, are cousins. Morelli (as you know) is a cop, Dom Rizzi robs banks, and Loretta Rizzi is a single mother (to Zook) waiting tables at the firehouse. Now years ago, Dom was one in a gang of Four crims who robbed a bank. Armed robbery to the tune of nine million dollars. Dom was caught, convicted, and did time in jail. The money was never Found. Less than a week after Dom's release from prison, and Joe Morelli has shadowy Figures breaking into his house and dying in his basement, and random people are digging up his yard looking for the stash. Then Loretta is kidnapped, and Dom goes missing. It's a race against time to find Loretta (before she runs out of toes) and for Dom to Fess up and tell everyone where he hid the loot.
All our Familiar Favourites are back - Former 'Ho, Lula; ex Special Forces and fatigue wearing Fresh Food eating Ranger, and the Forever to remain boyfriend material Morelli.
And to test your knowledge, let's play a game of 'who wore this'. Good Luck! (the answers are in the spoiler below):-
(a) He was wearing black slacks, black blazer, black dress shirt with a black tie. The black tie had a black stripe. If GQ ran an issue on contract killers, he’d make the cover.
(b) She’s a plus-size black woman who likes to squash herself into too small clothes featuring animal print and spandex.
How did you go?
If you've made it to here in my review, you deserve a reward! So no more 'f' words will I speak!!
Oh, Fiddlesticks, who am I kidding.
Finally. In conclusion. Only those of you Feigning Fear should read Fourteen.
October 26, 2008
OK. I may have my breath back now from laughing so hard. I just finished Janet Evanovich's "Fearless Fourteen" starring Stephanie Plum, Ranger, and Joe and I literally laughed, snorted, and guffawed my way through this book. I've read and heard some of the bad-mouthing this book has gotten and although I understand some people are anxious for Stephanie to make a choice between Ranger and Joe, I, for one, am just happy to keep reading about Stephanie's wild and zany life.
This time Stephanie has quite a few things to deal with. Lula has forcibly engaged herself to Tank, who just may end up dead, relocated, or married. Stephanie has managed to put herself on the hook to care for a teenager who may be Joe's child from his wild youth. The mother who could set things straight has been kidnapped and is being held for the nine million dollar ransom proceeds from an old bank robbery, and her kidnapper has resorted to sending toes to stress his seriousness! The teenager, who refuses to answer to anything but Zook, is hooked on a popular internet game and thinks he's being stalked by another player. Grandma Mazur has taken to Zook's internet game and is gathering her own 'posse' of overage delinquents. An aging star has the hots for both Ranger and Joe, and keeps butting in on Stephanie's cases. And...well, there's lots more, but it's all laugh out loud funny and a darn entertaining read!
This time Stephanie has quite a few things to deal with. Lula has forcibly engaged herself to Tank, who just may end up dead, relocated, or married. Stephanie has managed to put herself on the hook to care for a teenager who may be Joe's child from his wild youth. The mother who could set things straight has been kidnapped and is being held for the nine million dollar ransom proceeds from an old bank robbery, and her kidnapper has resorted to sending toes to stress his seriousness! The teenager, who refuses to answer to anything but Zook, is hooked on a popular internet game and thinks he's being stalked by another player. Grandma Mazur has taken to Zook's internet game and is gathering her own 'posse' of overage delinquents. An aging star has the hots for both Ranger and Joe, and keeps butting in on Stephanie's cases. And...well, there's lots more, but it's all laugh out loud funny and a darn entertaining read!
May 13, 2016
I called Morelli and got his voice mail. "Just checking in," I said. "And by the way, no reason to get alarmed, but do you have personal liability insurance tacked on to your homeowner's?"
I don't think we have to worry about Stephanie making an eventual decision between Morelli and Ranger. Morelli should be dead soon from the stress of being with her.
In this book we have a kidnapping, a stalker, a teenage tagger, potato guns, and a maybe-wedding coming up.
In typical Stephanie fashion, she makes friends with the stalker and takes him home to dinner with her family.
Stephanie's mother: "Marion Zajak's daughter doesn't have stalkers. Catherine Bargolowshi's daughter doesn't have stalkers. Why do I have to be the one with the daughter who has stalkers?"
To be fair, this guy isn't actually stalking Stephanie. He is stalking an aging singer who she is protecting along with Ranger. And, for a stalker, he is a really nice guy.
Gotta take good care of your stalkers...
Of course, dinner with Stephanie's family could scare most criminals straight.
"You should snap me up," Morelli said. "Not many men would marry you after meeting your grandmother. You're lucky to have me."
This is true. She is very lucky to have this boyfriend that puts up with her train-wreck of a life along with the fact that she is constantly kissing another guy.
I'm still Team Ranger, but Morelli has my deepest sympathy because I'm thinking he has a pretty nasty ulcer at this point.
I don't think we have to worry about Stephanie making an eventual decision between Morelli and Ranger. Morelli should be dead soon from the stress of being with her.
In this book we have a kidnapping, a stalker, a teenage tagger, potato guns, and a maybe-wedding coming up.
In typical Stephanie fashion, she makes friends with the stalker and takes him home to dinner with her family.
Stephanie's mother: "Marion Zajak's daughter doesn't have stalkers. Catherine Bargolowshi's daughter doesn't have stalkers. Why do I have to be the one with the daughter who has stalkers?"
To be fair, this guy isn't actually stalking Stephanie. He is stalking an aging singer who she is protecting along with Ranger. And, for a stalker, he is a really nice guy.
Gotta take good care of your stalkers...
Of course, dinner with Stephanie's family could scare most criminals straight.
"You should snap me up," Morelli said. "Not many men would marry you after meeting your grandmother. You're lucky to have me."
This is true. She is very lucky to have this boyfriend that puts up with her train-wreck of a life along with the fact that she is constantly kissing another guy.
I'm still Team Ranger, but Morelli has my deepest sympathy because I'm thinking he has a pretty nasty ulcer at this point.
May 22, 2018
Janet Evanovich has done it again. Great book! Not many books are as truly entertaining as a Stephanie Plum story. No matter how many times I read them I still laugh out loud and can't put them down. I would recommend these books to any one, and always smile whenever I do.
June, 2016. -- still lovin' it!
May 2018 — Ranger in a tux. Yum!! In this book we have an aging country singer who is hilarious! She is vibrant and tough. Meanwhile Morelli has everyone digging up his yard looking for treasure. I almost fell over laughing at the image of Lula with a jackhammer and Mooner with a potato gun. Too much fun! 🤣
Morelli lost points in this book, though. His flippant attitude over Mario? 😕Nope! Not good!
June, 2016. -- still lovin' it!
May 2018 — Ranger in a tux. Yum!! In this book we have an aging country singer who is hilarious! She is vibrant and tough. Meanwhile Morelli has everyone digging up his yard looking for treasure. I almost fell over laughing at the image of Lula with a jackhammer and Mooner with a potato gun. Too much fun! 🤣
Morelli lost points in this book, though. His flippant attitude over Mario? 😕Nope! Not good!
August 4, 2022
Good funny read as usual.
August 14, 2008
After Lean Mean Thirteen I swore I was not going to go out and buy the hardcover off the shelf. I was disappointed. And then I listened to the Audio book and the interview with Janet at the end. I was more then disappointed I was MAD. JE and other people I gather, since reading other reviews, keep rambling on about this love triangle. Joe Steph and Ranger and Steph not being able to choose. Choose? Steph is living with Joe, sleeping with Joe. Ranger gets what? Not much of anything. He's in the book just enough to keep Ranger fans like me hanging on. I keep reading because I'm hooked on the great characters like, grandma Mazur and Lula and Ranger.
Fearless Fourteen, I got my book 2nd hand, Like I said I wasn't going to pay top dollar for a book that wasn't worth it. And I'm glad I didn't pay. The book had it's moments that made me laugh. It not for Lula I think it would have been a total loss for me.
I loved the books because they were crazy and funny, and fantasy. Stephine being so cozy and practically married to Joe is boring. I believe if I ever pick up a future Plum Novel it'll be from the library
Fearless Fourteen, I got my book 2nd hand, Like I said I wasn't going to pay top dollar for a book that wasn't worth it. And I'm glad I didn't pay. The book had it's moments that made me laugh. It not for Lula I think it would have been a total loss for me.
I loved the books because they were crazy and funny, and fantasy. Stephine being so cozy and practically married to Joe is boring. I believe if I ever pick up a future Plum Novel it'll be from the library
October 9, 2018
The Stephanie Plum books are funny... laugh out loud funny. They will not challenge you. They will not surprise or shock you. But they will entertain you and make you laugh.
I have been struggling with my health and my TBR was filled with classics which are not the books you read when your brain is mush. So, I returned to this series where I left off. In the past three days I have read this one and the next four. And it was fun.
I have been struggling with my health and my TBR was filled with classics which are not the books you read when your brain is mush. So, I returned to this series where I left off. In the past three days I have read this one and the next four. And it was fun.
December 26, 2017
In my mind, my kitchen is filled with crackers and cheese, roast chiken leftovers, farm fresh eggs, and coffee beans ready to grind. The reality us that I keep my Smith&Wesson in the cooky jar, my Oreos in the microwave, a jar of peanut butter and hamster food in the over-the-counter cupboard, and I have beer and olives in the refrigerator. I used to have a birthday cake in the freezer for emergencies, but I ate it."/>
I haven't touched my Plum stash in a while, knowing I'll need it for later. I can do that sometimes, be the rational reader and not inhale all of it at once. At least that's what I'm telling myself.
I missed the craziness of the Burg, Morelli's cheezy innuendoes and Ranger's "babe" and was reminded of why I love this series so much. So this time Stephanie had a lot of plates to juggle. Let's see, there was another old nudist to take in (is that how all men gonna get eventually?); a Dolly-like aging diva with a personal stalker with visions of impending death by pizza;
"Has it ever occured to you that you might be delusional?"
"That's what the psychiatrist said, but I think he's wrong. There's an evel flying pizza out there, and it's got Brenda's name on it."
there's an old robbery, money from wich was never recovered and a tresure hunt that takes place in Morelli's backyard, in wich all burgers (residents of the Burg, naturally) participate. There are a few killings, couple chopped toes, Lula's possible wedding, and somewhere along the way Steph is imbracing her inner Smurfette.
"You look like a Smurf. I think I'm getting turned on."
"Everyhting turns you on."
"Not everything. Rememeber the time you fell off the fire escape and rolled in the dog diarrhea?"
Nice to know he has standarts, that horndog Morelli. Oh and Steph and Morelli were taking shifts babysitting a spraypainting teenager. Good times. I could have used more of Ranger though. Maybe in the next book.
Over and out.
August 6, 2008
FEARLESS FOURTEEN (Ama. Sleuth/Humor-Stephanie Plum-New Jersey, Cont) – Poor
Evanovich, Janet – 14th in series
St. Martin’s Press, 2008, US Hardcover – ISBN: 9780312349516
First Sentence: In my mind, my kitchen is filled with crackers and cheese, roast chicken leftovers, farm fresh eggs, and coffee beans ready to grind.
Stephanie keeps suspecting someone has been in the basement of her boyfriend, police detective Joe Morelli. Stephanie is baby-sitting teenaged “Zook” after him mother was arrested. Zook’s uncle isn’t happy that the kid is spending time at Morelli’s house and claims Joe is Zook’s actual father. But the uncle, Dom Rizzi, is no saint as he did time for a bank robbery in which the money was never recovered.
Having grown up in “Jersey,” I loved the earlier Plum books. Not this one.
It’s one sight gag after another—oh, but wait, we’re reading. What would probably be very funny visually, just doesn’t quite work here, in spite of Ms. Evanovich’s best efforts. She’s a good writer, but this is so chaotic, you lose the focus, and the impact, of the main story.
Stephanie is a character who hasn’t grown. She’s the type I might enjoy at first, but would never have as a friend as she is just too much of a ditz. Men might love her; most women would just shake their heads in disbelief.
Give me a strong, smart, independent female protagonist; I think Stephanie and I are done.
Evanovich, Janet – 14th in series
St. Martin’s Press, 2008, US Hardcover – ISBN: 9780312349516
First Sentence: In my mind, my kitchen is filled with crackers and cheese, roast chicken leftovers, farm fresh eggs, and coffee beans ready to grind.
Stephanie keeps suspecting someone has been in the basement of her boyfriend, police detective Joe Morelli. Stephanie is baby-sitting teenaged “Zook” after him mother was arrested. Zook’s uncle isn’t happy that the kid is spending time at Morelli’s house and claims Joe is Zook’s actual father. But the uncle, Dom Rizzi, is no saint as he did time for a bank robbery in which the money was never recovered.
Having grown up in “Jersey,” I loved the earlier Plum books. Not this one.
It’s one sight gag after another—oh, but wait, we’re reading. What would probably be very funny visually, just doesn’t quite work here, in spite of Ms. Evanovich’s best efforts. She’s a good writer, but this is so chaotic, you lose the focus, and the impact, of the main story.
Stephanie is a character who hasn’t grown. She’s the type I might enjoy at first, but would never have as a friend as she is just too much of a ditz. Men might love her; most women would just shake their heads in disbelief.
Give me a strong, smart, independent female protagonist; I think Stephanie and I are done.
August 31, 2008
OK. This is the first time I have ever admitted to reading these books. Make that the second time. I told a friend who I already knew loved the books. I am taking a big leap of faith that I don't loose serious-reader points in my friends' estimations. I've talked about brain candy before. These books aren't even candy. They are more like, a dessert buffet. Absolutely no redeeming nutritional value, but a real pleasure to consume.
These books are funny! FUNNY! They are. Yes, canned humor and sometimes even a little potty humor. But, still funny. Call me juvenile. I like to laugh. I like to laugh at silly, inappropriate things. I enjoy outlandish situations. (Remember, my favorite books are fairy tales. Talk about a willing suspension of disbelief.)
I have read the entire series. Yes, I think the titles are silly and the whole naming a book by number or alphabet is silly. And still I return again and again. It's the characters. You love them. You can't help it. They are lovable and flawed and funny. Plus, there's the whole Ranger vs. Joe thing. Reminds me of the Sawyer vs. Jack thing on Lost. Will she or won't she? Who will our girl choose?
If you've read the books, who would you choose?
These books are funny! FUNNY! They are. Yes, canned humor and sometimes even a little potty humor. But, still funny. Call me juvenile. I like to laugh. I like to laugh at silly, inappropriate things. I enjoy outlandish situations. (Remember, my favorite books are fairy tales. Talk about a willing suspension of disbelief.)
I have read the entire series. Yes, I think the titles are silly and the whole naming a book by number or alphabet is silly. And still I return again and again. It's the characters. You love them. You can't help it. They are lovable and flawed and funny. Plus, there's the whole Ranger vs. Joe thing. Reminds me of the Sawyer vs. Jack thing on Lost. Will she or won't she? Who will our girl choose?
If you've read the books, who would you choose?
June 19, 2008
I was very frustrated with this one.
I almost gave up several times, but stuck with it. If this had been a stand-alone book it would have immediately gone in the garbage, but since it's a Plum, I'm obligated to keep it along with the rest of the collection.
The side characters are downright annoying in this book (Brenda, Dom, Carl the Monkey to name a few) and even the regulars just didn't seem right. The whole thing felt thrown together, almost like Evanovich just wanted the money and could care less about pleasing her readers.
The worst of the series, in my opinion. I might think twice about getting the next one on the release date in 2009, which is a real shame since I've liked the series for so long.
I almost gave up several times, but stuck with it. If this had been a stand-alone book it would have immediately gone in the garbage, but since it's a Plum, I'm obligated to keep it along with the rest of the collection.
The side characters are downright annoying in this book (Brenda, Dom, Carl the Monkey to name a few) and even the regulars just didn't seem right. The whole thing felt thrown together, almost like Evanovich just wanted the money and could care less about pleasing her readers.
The worst of the series, in my opinion. I might think twice about getting the next one on the release date in 2009, which is a real shame since I've liked the series for so long.
March 10, 2020
Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich is the 14th book in the Stephanie Plum Mystery series. Stephanie assists Ranger in providing bodyguard duties for an aging singer and also becomes mixed up with Morelli's cousinwho was involved in a nine million dollar bank robbery with everyone now looking for the money. Lots of action and lots of laughs. These books are always a lot of fun and ensure that you have a good time and finish with a smile on your face.
March 19, 2022
The best entry in quite some time.
July 19, 2017
Series: Stephanie Plum #14
Genre: Mystery. Women Sleuths + Humor
:: 5 Pretty Little Stars ::
Oh man! I love this series and have for a while now. I can honestly not get enough of Stephanie and the antics she seems to ALWAYS find herself in and around. Fearless Fourteen is just as much fun as Evanovich's previous books, if not better! I have definitely noticed a small amount of growth in Stephanie (as she is sort of settling down now) and some MAJOR changes in Morella. I love how in love with Stephanie he is. Gah!! Anyway, this book is still filled with amazingly funny antics and the secondary characters are absolutely superb. While I wish we saw a bit more of grandma Mazur I know she will be around in future books.
Overall, I definitely recommend this book and obviously, the entire series. It's fast paced, funny, and filled with the most loveable characters around! 5 stars
Genre: Mystery. Women Sleuths + Humor
:: 5 Pretty Little Stars ::
Oh man! I love this series and have for a while now. I can honestly not get enough of Stephanie and the antics she seems to ALWAYS find herself in and around. Fearless Fourteen is just as much fun as Evanovich's previous books, if not better! I have definitely noticed a small amount of growth in Stephanie (as she is sort of settling down now) and some MAJOR changes in Morella. I love how in love with Stephanie he is. Gah!! Anyway, this book is still filled with amazingly funny antics and the secondary characters are absolutely superb. While I wish we saw a bit more of grandma Mazur I know she will be around in future books.
Overall, I definitely recommend this book and obviously, the entire series. It's fast paced, funny, and filled with the most loveable characters around! 5 stars
May 10, 2017
Yet another action-packed installment in the Stephanie Plum mysteries. Evanovich is a master at adding supporting characters who add to the story and make us laugh. Between Lulu orchestrating a proposal from Tank and getting sucked into wedding planning to the teenager Stephanie ends up babysitting and Grandma getting into a computer kingdom -- there is much to laugh about while Stephanie figures out how to get a skip back who has been kidnapped.
April 8, 2017
I have a confession to make, I save this series up for those times when I really need a good laugh and know that I will get both characters I love and have a freaking good time while reading it, not to mention laugh out loud numerous times while doing so. This series is just fun, plain and simple and I adore it, weird love triangle and all.
March 11, 2018
Weder ein literarisches Highlight, noch ein Buch mit intellektuellem Anspruch, sondern einfach "guter Schund". Das Buch hat mich bestens unterhalten und richtig gut amüsiert. Jederzeit wieder gerne (wie gut, dass es eine lange Reihe von Stephanie Plum Büchern gibt, die nach und nach jetzt bei mir einziehen werden).
February 16, 2013
I have been seeing so many books by Janet Evanovich in my favorite second-hand bookstore. They are almost paper-thin and cost P10 (~$0.23) so I said, why not pick one of these and try. Wrong move. This book, Fearless Fourteen is part of a series called Stephanie Plum and so I had to know the background of the characters found in most of the 13 earlier books.
Stephanie Plum is likened by Evanovich to Seinfeld, a central character that the rest of the characters revolve around. Plum is a bounty hunter so she goes from one fugitive to another. This particular story opens with Plum apprehending grocery shoplifter, Loretta Rizzi who stole steak in a grocery because she does not know how to properly cook one. That's supposed to be fun because Rizzi has the money but she does not know how to marinate or something properly so she steals it. In the Philippines, thieves steal food because they are hungry and penniless. It cannot be funny. Period.
Evanovich storytelling is very readable though. Her characters talk and talk so the prose is engaging and her language is very contemporary. Reading her is like listening to comedy shows on TV especially when I am in my hotel room in the US. I am not surprised why this series has extended to 19 books now and still going. The scenarios depicted in the book are something that common American readers can easily identify with. Something that reminded me of an earlier read this year, Planet Simpsons.
But this book is just enough for me. I have no urge to read all the 18 books. Once is enough. Thank you.
Stephanie Plum is likened by Evanovich to Seinfeld, a central character that the rest of the characters revolve around. Plum is a bounty hunter so she goes from one fugitive to another. This particular story opens with Plum apprehending grocery shoplifter, Loretta Rizzi who stole steak in a grocery because she does not know how to properly cook one. That's supposed to be fun because Rizzi has the money but she does not know how to marinate or something properly so she steals it. In the Philippines, thieves steal food because they are hungry and penniless. It cannot be funny. Period.
Evanovich storytelling is very readable though. Her characters talk and talk so the prose is engaging and her language is very contemporary. Reading her is like listening to comedy shows on TV especially when I am in my hotel room in the US. I am not surprised why this series has extended to 19 books now and still going. The scenarios depicted in the book are something that common American readers can easily identify with. Something that reminded me of an earlier read this year, Planet Simpsons.
But this book is just enough for me. I have no urge to read all the 18 books. Once is enough. Thank you.
August 9, 2022
I really enjoy Stephanie Plum. The characters (especially Lula!) always make me laugh. Lorelei King is a great narrator, though admittedly I was a bit put out when she took over narrating the books. Not because she's a bad narrator, but because I had just listened to her read the entire Mercy Thompson series and it was really jolting to suddenly hear "Mercy's" voice reading "Stephanie's" voice. But it was easy to adjust and now I can't imagine anyone else as the voice of Stephanie.
When you start reading a series from the moment of inception, you typically have to wait a year for the next book, which gives you time to forget all the minor irritants. I have to be careful with that when I'm reading any series because I have a real tendency to start getting annoyed. I try to sparse out my books and never read more than two books in a row in any series. It seems to help. I probably need to take more of a break with Stephanie because in the previous books, I was starting to get irritated with Stephanie.
A lot of reviewers didn't love this book but it was one of my favorites. I liked it because it wasn't Stephanie being hunted down and still doing stupid things. Stephanie was still getting into madcap situations but not because she did something dumb. That was a refreshing take for me. I also liked that we still got Ranger, but not enough that Morelli got his panties in a twist. Everyone just seemed a bit more "adult" in this one and I loved that.
I really enjoyed Zook and how Stephanie and Morelli are instantly accepting and ready to take care of anyone that needs it. I was crushing hard on Morelli in this one. He's a fantastic character. Lula, as usual, was my fave. I just love how confident she is being 100% herself.
Some of my favorite things about this book:
*Stephanie wasn't the one in danger. Instead, Loretta, a skip, has been kidnapped and Stephanie and Morelli need to find her for Zook, her son who is staying with them. Loretta's brother was an accomplice in a big bank robbery and his old crew has kidnapped Loretta until he tells where he hid the money.
*The return of Mooner!
*Potato launchers.
*A dangerous flying pizza.
*Morelli's family always making room at the dinner table for all the quirky people Stephanie brings home.
*Demon monkeys.
When you start reading a series from the moment of inception, you typically have to wait a year for the next book, which gives you time to forget all the minor irritants. I have to be careful with that when I'm reading any series because I have a real tendency to start getting annoyed. I try to sparse out my books and never read more than two books in a row in any series. It seems to help. I probably need to take more of a break with Stephanie because in the previous books, I was starting to get irritated with Stephanie.
A lot of reviewers didn't love this book but it was one of my favorites. I liked it because it wasn't Stephanie being hunted down and still doing stupid things. Stephanie was still getting into madcap situations but not because she did something dumb. That was a refreshing take for me. I also liked that we still got Ranger, but not enough that Morelli got his panties in a twist. Everyone just seemed a bit more "adult" in this one and I loved that.
I really enjoyed Zook and how Stephanie and Morelli are instantly accepting and ready to take care of anyone that needs it. I was crushing hard on Morelli in this one. He's a fantastic character. Lula, as usual, was my fave. I just love how confident she is being 100% herself.
Some of my favorite things about this book:
*Stephanie wasn't the one in danger. Instead, Loretta, a skip, has been kidnapped and Stephanie and Morelli need to find her for Zook, her son who is staying with them. Loretta's brother was an accomplice in a big bank robbery and his old crew has kidnapped Loretta until he tells where he hid the money.
*The return of Mooner!
*Potato launchers.
*A dangerous flying pizza.
*Morelli's family always making room at the dinner table for all the quirky people Stephanie brings home.
*Demon monkeys.
April 23, 2020
The audio is fantastic and the interview with Janet Evanovich was well worth listening to this audio. I love hearing Janet giving insight into how the story came about. Ranger in a tux - be still my heart. Ranger also gets groped in an elevator, not by Stephanie. Joe makes Stephanie want to settle down, especially when Joe makes it seem like he is ready to settle down. Lulu decides she wants to get married and Tank has no say, at all. Mooner also makes a appearance and he provides protection for Joe's house with his faithful potato gun.
Ranger has a gig and he desperately needs Stephanie. Since She owes Ranger to many favors, and other things, to count she agrees to help him corral fading country singer Brenda while she is in Trenton. Brenda has a stalker, Gary, who was hit by lightning and has visions. To revive her career Brenda wants to team up with Stephanie in a reality show, but Steph wants no part in it.
When one of Steph's skips can't be rebounded, Steph ends up taking care of her junior high age son. Right after Loretta gets out of jail she is abducted and the ransom is 9 million big ones taken in a robbery by Loretta's brother and his partners and rumored to be hidden on Joe's property. When Loretta starts losing body parts, Steph is determined to find the money and save Loretta.
Ranger has a gig and he desperately needs Stephanie. Since She owes Ranger to many favors, and other things, to count she agrees to help him corral fading country singer Brenda while she is in Trenton. Brenda has a stalker, Gary, who was hit by lightning and has visions. To revive her career Brenda wants to team up with Stephanie in a reality show, but Steph wants no part in it.
When one of Steph's skips can't be rebounded, Steph ends up taking care of her junior high age son. Right after Loretta gets out of jail she is abducted and the ransom is 9 million big ones taken in a robbery by Loretta's brother and his partners and rumored to be hidden on Joe's property. When Loretta starts losing body parts, Steph is determined to find the money and save Loretta.
June 18, 2008
Okay, my rating isn't really objective - I'll admit that now. I'm a Ranger girl, and he doesn't figure prominently in this book, so I gave it a poor rating. Otherwise, it's a good, average member of the series. Not really worth the wait, imo, but once again, I'm biased. I'm also a bit disappointed that she seems to be writing towards making Joe and Steph a permanent couple.
There's an interview with Evanovich on the web (romancenovels.tv) where she says she wanted to make this series into a kind of bubble where no one ages, grows, or learns. It's kind of like the Simpsons - pure entertainment. It's a great formula with a great fan base, so she isn't going to screw with what works. As a nearly-compulsive series reader, I'm happy to hear that. As a Ranger girl, that means 15 better be all about Ranger. I'm sick of Joe!
There's an interview with Evanovich on the web (romancenovels.tv) where she says she wanted to make this series into a kind of bubble where no one ages, grows, or learns. It's kind of like the Simpsons - pure entertainment. It's a great formula with a great fan base, so she isn't going to screw with what works. As a nearly-compulsive series reader, I'm happy to hear that. As a Ranger girl, that means 15 better be all about Ranger. I'm sick of Joe!
November 25, 2008
I really enjoyed this series early on. Now it's getting a little old, and this book in particular was quite thin on story. I got pretty impatient with Stephanie always being called, alternately by the men in her life, "cupcake" and "babe". I would like to see this series take a fresh new turn.
May 18, 2024
Kissing Cousins?
This one hits close-ish to home for Joseph "Joe" Morelli and his not-on-the-tree-more-in-the-forest cousins, Dom and Loretta Rizzi. Dom's got some misplaced anger issues that need serious adjusting. Then there's Loretta's son, Mario "Zook." Despite his tagging tendencies, I do feel bad for him. I do like how he finds semi-kindred spirits in Walter "Mooner" Dunphy and Gary, Brenda's stalker/cousin, along with Grandma Mazur and her geriatric posse.
In true Stephanie Plum form, this is often outlandish with several 'only Stephanie' moments. It is an entertaining read/listen. Grandma Mazur get busted in places she doesn't belong after dark, Bob eats a pair of thongs, Stephanie's car gets a temporary redesign (but doesn't blow up this time), Morelli has several houseguests - not all are announced, and Lula and Tank are engaged(?!?!).
Carlos "Ranger" Manoso gets some action in the form of a 61-year-old has-been singer who will not stop blatantly hitting on and groping him. It's a bit pathetic on Brenda's part, but Ranger with feathers everywhere is funny.
I listened to the audio book. The narrator is Lorelei King. I'm getting there. See reviews from earlier books in the series for more information.
Story: 4 stars
Narration: 4 stars
Listening Speed: 1.7x
This one hits close-ish to home for Joseph "Joe" Morelli and his not-on-the-tree-more-in-the-forest cousins, Dom and Loretta Rizzi. Dom's got some misplaced anger issues that need serious adjusting. Then there's Loretta's son, Mario "Zook." Despite his tagging tendencies, I do feel bad for him. I do like how he finds semi-kindred spirits in Walter "Mooner" Dunphy and Gary, Brenda's stalker/cousin, along with Grandma Mazur and her geriatric posse.
In true Stephanie Plum form, this is often outlandish with several 'only Stephanie' moments. It is an entertaining read/listen. Grandma Mazur get busted in places she doesn't belong after dark, Bob eats a pair of thongs, Stephanie's car gets a temporary redesign (but doesn't blow up this time), Morelli has several houseguests - not all are announced, and Lula and Tank are engaged(?!?!).
Carlos "Ranger" Manoso gets some action in the form of a 61-year-old has-been singer who will not stop blatantly hitting on and groping him. It's a bit pathetic on Brenda's part, but Ranger with feathers everywhere is funny.
I listened to the audio book. The narrator is Lorelei King. I'm getting there. See reviews from earlier books in the series for more information.
Story: 4 stars
Narration: 4 stars
Listening Speed: 1.7x
June 20, 2024
Zoob, Moonman, and Gary the psychic stalker are a great addition to the regular team. 9 million dollars was stolen in a bank robbery and now years later it is missing and wanted by what seems like most of New Jersey. It’s another hilarious misadventure as bounty hunter Stephanie Plum becomes involved.
June 21, 2008
What a nadir for this series. Mystery? There wasn't one. Mr Secret Identity? I'd spoil it for ya, but it wouldn't really be a surprise. Or in any way interesting. At all. The whole who-is-Zook's-baby-daddy thing? I'd spoil that for you as well, but again: it would be a big ol' letdown.
Even the funny bits weren't funny in this book. Ms Evanovich apparently got ahold of an online dictionary for MMORPG slang and made up a subplot based on it. She got some of the terms way wrong. It was painful to read those parts.
Ranger? Was a source of information in this book. Thassit. All that character-building stuff she did for him in her previous books was absolutely and completely wasted. You could have replaced him with a decent internet search engine and a set of lockpicks.
"Brenda" was flat as a character and as a subplot, made even more heinous by the fact that her subplot was only loosely tied to the main plot.
Secondary characters throughout were, like the ammo used in the potato launchers, half-baked.
That's it. I'm done with Janet Evanovich. I was a huge fan early on, but she's been wimping out the last, oh, six books or so. This one wasn't even worth the time, no less the money.
Even the funny bits weren't funny in this book. Ms Evanovich apparently got ahold of an online dictionary for MMORPG slang and made up a subplot based on it. She got some of the terms way wrong. It was painful to read those parts.
Ranger? Was a source of information in this book. Thassit. All that character-building stuff she did for him in her previous books was absolutely and completely wasted. You could have replaced him with a decent internet search engine and a set of lockpicks.
"Brenda" was flat as a character and as a subplot, made even more heinous by the fact that her subplot was only loosely tied to the main plot.
Secondary characters throughout were, like the ammo used in the potato launchers, half-baked.
That's it. I'm done with Janet Evanovich. I was a huge fan early on, but she's been wimping out the last, oh, six books or so. This one wasn't even worth the time, no less the money.
June 21, 2008
I like some of these books better than others, I think they started going down hill after 11 (even though, as a whole I believe I gave them all 5 stars) but until this book I have never been completely disappointed.
I am so sad to say goodbye to Stephanie Plum. She did give me many hours of enjoyment.
I am so sad to say goodbye to Stephanie Plum. She did give me many hours of enjoyment.
May 28, 2018
The 14th book in the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. Another silly adventure involving a little romance, a little mystery, and lots of humor.
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