The tone of this one feels different. The bad guys here are really scary; apparently, Stephanie’s grandmother has already been kidnapped once, and they are still gunning for her. And yet, neither Stephanie nor her grandma seems especially concerned, and Stephanie still goes into dangerous situations unprepared. That sort of ineptitude was funnier in lower-stakes stories where her family wasn’t directly threatened, but it seems oddly chipper for this context. Ranger is in this one quite a bit, which is great. I think we don’t get enough insight into his character to connect to him well, but then, his mysteriousness is part of what makes him so attractive in the first place. Lula is funny, even Stephanie’s mother has a chance to shine, and Morelli’s moments, though few, are both sweet and interesting. I am impressed at the way his character still feels fresh after all these books.

There are new characters here, too. I’m probably in the minority, but I didn’t care for Gabriela. For one thing, she isn’t in the book very much (or she’s in the background) so it’s hard to get invested. For another thing, she isn’t funny, which would be okay for other novels, but this is Stephanie Plum, where even the recently kidnapped, presently threatened, widowed newlywed is cracking wise. In addition to this, Gabriela is mysterious, beautiful, brilliant, thin, athletic, skilled in the martial arts, wealthy (maybe? she wears designer clothes), knowledgeable, and practically perfect in every way. She’s neither quirky nor flawed. In other words, she’s just not all that interesting. I know that she’s going to be the main character of a different series, and I’m guessing that the tone of that series will be quite different from this. I might like her better in her own novel. I don’t dislike her here—I simply don’t feel much of anything. The other new character here is meant for this book only, which is too bad because he was the most interesting part of the novel for me. He’s one of Stephanie’s FTAs, and he’s neurotic, loyal, anxious, and surprisingly sweet.

Ultimately, in deciding what to rate this book, I looked at my enjoyment of it. In that respect, this one is great, as always. 27 books in, and Evanovich still has her sense of fun. In addition, all the returning characters feel real and true to form. There is a little bit of growth for some of them, and there are a few really touching moments. Perfect for any fan of the series. Four and a half stars, rounded up. ( )

Not a literary read, but light and made me laugh several times ( )

The 27th Stephanie Plum novel is filled with exploding cars and humor. Stephanie is on a treasure hunt with her Grandma Mazur. Grandma's 45-minute husband Jimmy Rossoli left her the keys to a treasure but lots of other villains don't want her to have it.

Stephanie has to hunt down clues while still doing her job as fugitive apprehension agent in Trenton, New Jersey. She has three men to find and bring back to jail if she wants to make her rent: George Potts was arrested for streaking down Hamilton Avenue and using the sidewalk in front of Tasty Pastry Bakery as a bathroom. Arnold Rugalowski was caught on camera putting fried roaches in his wife's bucket of chicken, and Rodney Trotter was arrested for giving silicone butt implants out of the back of his van.

Naturally, none of the men she's after want to go back to jail and hijinks occur as she and Lula try to find them and get them back to the jail. However, Potts is the most clueless and does go back to jail. He's so pathetic that Stephanie posts his bail and earns the life-long devotion of a clueless nerd who is determined to be her bodyguard.

This was another fun episode in the Stephanie Plum series. I like her ability to just go with the flow when she is confronted by absurdities and gangsters who want her dead. I love her love life as she can't decide between Joe Morelli and Ranger. And Lula and Grandma Mazur always bring humor to the story. ( )

Mystery

I have read most of the Stephanie Plum books and have noticed a downward trend in the last few. There is also a lot of repetition in backstory and explanations...it's as if readers were reading the series for the very first time. But come on, this is book #27 and it continues with the same information.

A treasure hunt places everyone Stephanie loves in jeopardy as others are also looking for it and will kill anybody standing in their way. A mysterious woman is also in the hunt and saves Stephanie from getting shot. Who is she? It also states in the description that Stephanie will choose between Ranger and Joe...I must have missed it.

Not a bad story but didn't keep my interest as others did. The sarcasm and laughing-out-loud moments were also far and few in between. I have already purchased #30 but am in no hurry to get to it. I hope it's better than the last few. ( )