In 1994, St. Martin's Press released a book called One For the Money.
The author, who previously had cranked out numerous lighthearted romance paperback novels, was a first time mystery writer. The book did well, earning accolades such as being named a New York Times Notable Book, a Publisher’s Weekly "Best Book of 1994," and a USA Today "Best Bet.
On June 17, 2008, St. Martin's Press released the latest in that mystery series, a little book called Fearless Fourteen.
For the first printing, two MILLION copies were published.
I think it is safe to say that bestselling author Janet Evanovich is here to stay.
The "Stephanie Plum" series does not take itself too seriously, and that, many say, is the secret to its success.
Stephanie, after losing her job at the lingerie factory in Trenton, New Jersey, signs on as a "bond enforcement agent" (i.e., bounty hunter) for her cousin Vinny to try to make ends meet. Throughout the books, her luck, rather than her skill, allows her to capture the odd skip or two, while collecting a colorful cast of characters along the way. Stephanie is also a daughter of “The Burg” – the suburb where her parents live, and where more often than not she is mooching dinner from the family or driving out of her way for pineapple upside down cake. Her mother laments Stephanie’s position in life, and her father remains silent – particularly in the face of his mother-in-law.
Between Lula (Stephanie’s enthusiastic sidekick, who used to be a hooker) and Grandma Mazur (Stephanie's feisty grandmother, who’s main form of entertainment is going to the funeral home for visitations and cookies), the laughs never stop throughout the books as the three of them (sometimes separately, sometimes together) find themselves in hilarious, though often life threatening, situations.
Adding spice to the series are the two leading men: Joe Morelli, former sweetheart, sometimes flame, reformed bad boy and a current cop in Trenton, and Ranger, a mysterious ex-special forces man who is described as sex on legs, and though Stephanie tries to be a good girl, somehow Ranger and Joe keep pulling her heart into different directions...
Fearless Fourteen, Evanovich's newest, is another fast-paced and hilarious romp through "The Burg" (Stephanie's home turf) where Stephanie finds herself babysitting a skip's teenage son, Morelli's basement becomes a magnet for death and destruction, and Lula and her new man get serious – much to his dismay. This is another easy, breezy read that will transport readers right back to The Burg as Stephanie tries to avoid murder and mayhem – with mixed results.
If you are new to the Stephanie Plum series, I would highly recommend you start with the first novel – though the books can be read individually, there is a lot of character and plot development that carries from book to book, so jumping in late in the game will have new readers missing past jokes or situations, and the relationships of the characters are more solid if you read the series as a whole. If you are a seasoned Evanovich reader, though, Fearless Fourteen is another welcome addition to the canon with a few laugh out loud moments, more tug of war with Joe and Ranger, and of course, the destruction of a car...
If you enjoy reading the novels of Janet Evanovich, you may also enjoy reading novels with quirky characters and a light approach plus a touch of mystery. Be sure to try Sarah Strohmeyer's "Bubbles Yablonsky" series, Kate White's "Bailey Weggins" mysteries, Harley Jane Kozak's "Wollie Shelley" series, Kasey Michael's "Maggie Kelly" novels, Nancy J. Cohen's "Bad Hair Day" series, or novels by Jennifer Crusie.
Janet Evanovich can be found on the web at her very popular website Evanovich.com. Readers are encouraged to name the next novel in the series (Fifteen). Since the fourth book, Evanovich has always used fan suggestions for novel titles. Also on the website are FAQs, a Q&A about writing, quizzes, character profiles, and even a Stephanie Plum store! In 2006, Evanovich’s website received nine million hits per month, and Evanovich’s book signings from the same year would routinely attract two to three thousand people.
Yes, I think Janet Evanovich is here to stay…
Have a question for the Loud Librarian? Or, want to let her know your thoughts on one of her reviews? Email her at Marissa.Priddis@CrucialPop.com.
Previous Columns:
