I "heart" Morelli discussion

I am just about to start rereading this book. So we can start the discussion.

Stephanie Plum has lost her job, her car and is broke. And if things do not change soon she will have to move back in with her parents a fate worse than death. So in a moment of desperation she goes to work for her sleazy cousin Vinnie as a bounty hunter. Stephanie's previous job as a lingerie buyer has done nothing to prepare her for this. And who is the first person she goes after Joseph Morelli. To say Stephanie and Joe have history is an understatement. He has been in and out (mostly out) of her life since she was 6 when he convinces her to play train in his garage. When she was 16 he seduced her behind the éclair case in the bakery she worked at. 3 years later Stephanie hit him with a car breaking his leg. Now he is wanted for murder and Stephanie is expected to find him.

Stephanie keeps finding Joe but is unable to bring him in. But with the help of Ranger (sigh) she might learn a thing or two and solve the case, find Morelli and stay alive.

Favorite scene: Stephanie is driving Joe's jeep that she has "commendeered" and he sees her driving it. Flips a u-turn in the van he is driving and starts following Stephanie. At a stop light gets out to confront her and ends up calling her on his car phone. Her reaction to seeing him is so funny.

Favorite quotes: My best friend Marl Lou Molnar, said she heard Morelli had a tongue like a lizard.
"This is gonna be fun. This here is going to be like Professor Higgins and Eliza Doolittle Does Trenton" -Ranger

Favorite Dialouge between Stephanie and Morelli-
"I like the way you've let your hair go curly," he finally said. "Suits your personality. Lots of energy, not much control, sexy as hell."
"You know nothing about my personality."
"I know the sexy as hell part."
I felt my face burn. "Tactless of you to remind me."
Morelli grinned "You're right. And you could be right about the Buick business, too. I probably deserved to get run over."
"Was that an apology?"
"No. But you can hold the flashlight next time we play train."

Every time he laughs it is at Stephanie.

So how is this working? I am just starting the series, are you going to post a thread for every book?

I love how Stephaine and Joe's relationship is. I mean how cool is it that they are so against each other but bound to be together (I haven't read book two yet just got it). I also really thought Ramirez was creepy.

I thought since the new book is coming out I would start discussions for each book. That way us old fans can remember our favorite scenes and the new fans can get in on the discussion as they read the books.

The book is great. Enjoyed how he left her naked and tied to the shower rod. LOL!!! How she stole his jeep.

Its amazing how bad.. yet good she is and just 'bumping' into things. LOL

Ok that part where she gets tied to the shower is great!

I love how they mention it in other books.

And I love her car! I mean it even gets spray painted. Too funny.

I agree - I NEVER will forget the shower scene! LOL

I think that statement about cars is an UNDERSTATEMENT. LOL

This was on Janet's site and I thought it would be fun to post:

Stephanie Plum - Bounty hunter, former lingerie buyer, Jersey girl. Notable quote: "Everything in New Jersey has a bad smell, its one of the few things a person can count on."

Joseph Morelli - Bad kid, good cop, murder suspect. Notable quote: "It's not the pizza, darlin', its my masculine presence."

Mary Lou Molnar - Stephanie's best friend since childhood. Notable quote: "He specializes in virgins! The brush of his fingertips turns virgins into slobbering mush." (referring to Joseph Morelli, of course)

Grandma Mazur - Stephanie's doorknob-kneed, ancient, yet spry grandmother. Notable quote: "I shot that sucker right in the gumpy."

Frank Plum - Stephanie's stoic father.

Helen Plum - Stephanie's long-suffering mother, prime example of a 'burg housewife.

Rex - Stephanie's hamster. Trusted companion and confidant.

Vincent "Vinnie" Plum - Stephanie's sleazy cousin, who runs Vincent Plum Bail Bonding Company. He is described as "a worm, a sexual lunatic, a dog turd."

Connie Rosolli - Vinnie's receptionist. Quintessential Italian Jersey girl. Notable quote: "The way I see it, living in New Jersey is a challenge, what with the toxic waste and the eighteen wheelers and the armed schizophrenics."

Ranger - Bounty hunter extraordinaire. "Professor Higgins" to Stephanie's "Eliza Doolittle." Notable quote: "There's me and then there's you, and you aren't ever going to be as good as me, Sweet Thing."

Benito Ramirez - Outstanding heavyweight boxer. World-class psycho. Notable quote: "You're scared now, I can smell it..."

Mrs. Morelli - Joseph Morelli's mother. Housewife of heroic proportions Notable quote: "Does your mother know that you're carrying a gun? I'm going to tell her. I'm going to call and tell her right now."

Eddie Gazarra - Trenton cop. One of Stephanie's best friends since birth. Married to Stephanie's cousin, Shirley the Whiner.

Lula - Heavyweight prostitute who Stephanie interviews in pursuit of Morelli.

I just finished this last night. Loved it! I love her car and how she just keeps on driving it no matter what happens to it! I can't wait to see what happens in Two.

more like meaningful obsessions. lol.

I just recently read this book and have the others on order. this book was great and so funny. orelli is hot and I can't stop thinking about the bakery scene. Grandma Mazur is a riot. I can't wait to continue reading this series.

I am glad you liked it Jael

I've picked this back up. I wanted to revisit the earlier versions of the characters.

Greatest quote: "He specializes in virgins! The brush of his fingertips turns virgins into slobbering mush."

And then with Vinnie: "From the look on your face, I'd say you know him."
Steph nodded, "Sold him a cannoli when I was in high school."
Connie grunted, "Honey, half of all the women in New Jersey have sold him their cannoli."

And now the introduction of Ranger. Wow!!!! His character has monumentally changed. He was so conversational and laughs out loud. That's a much less refined Ranger than the Ranger I know and love!

"Ranger leaned back and grinned. "Sooooo, Connie says I'm supposed to make you into a badass fugitive apprehension agent. She says you need to get the crash course. What's the rush?"
Steph: "You see the brown Nova at the curb?"
Ranger: "Uh huh" (side note: the more mature Ranger would have given a silent, barely noticable nod)
Steph: "That's my car."
He gave an almost impereptible nod. "So you need money. Anything else?"
Steph: "Personal reasons."
Ranger: "Bond enforcement is dangerous business. Those personal reasons better be pretty f-ing good."
Steph: "What are your reasons for doing this?"
He did a palms up gesture, "It's what I do best." "
.....
when she named the skip as Morelli: "He tipped his head back and laughed, and the sound boomed off the walls of the little sandwich shop. "Oh, man! Are you kidding me? Your aren't gonna get that dude. This isn't some street punk you're going after. This guy's smart. And he's good. You know what I'm telling you about?"
Steph: "Connie says YOU'RE good."
"There's me, and then there's you, and you aren't ever gonna be as good as me, Sweet Thing." "

This seems totally different ... before his character matured. Even his language/speech was poor: more ghetto than mysterioso.

thanks Jenni

Covers from around the world of this book:
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LOL at Jenni. I've only read up to book two so far but reading your quotes put a smile on my face.I'll be starting book three very soon. This is definitely a fun series. Gramda Mazur attending the funerals and causing a ruckus had me in tears.

I've never read the series but have many of them. I'm looking forward to starting it and am glad to see the 'reread' is starting this month. I'll certianly be in on that!!! :)

I skipped all the posts, I can't wait to start this book as soon as my friend emails me a copy!

These books have to be good because the local library copies are so battered and bruised I am embarassed to take them out! and the local bookstores can't seem to keep them in shop - then again this reading town seems to see more women than it does men... lol

Oooh, so far I am intrigued!

I had forgotten how much fun this first book is. Other than poor Lula! How can this be a drama?

Just finished this book today and loved it!

Well, its KIND of a drama. Its not quite as funny as many of the later books (can't wait for Moon Man and Sally Sweet.)

But yeah, you do get previews of some of the BEST of the various characters. Especially Grandma M and her thing about HAVING TO SEE the deceased. (btw, I've already informed my daughter and husband that if I die before they do and they have an open casket I WILL be back to haunt them. Grandma wouldn't like me)