Guest Review: Smokin’ Seventeen by Janet Evanovich

I’m super excited to day to welcome a special guest reviewer to my blog today!  Jessica is my younger sister, and probably the second most avid reader in my family.  She’s been a fan of Janet Evanovich’s book since I introduced them to her a few years ago so when I presented her with the opportunity to review the latest, she couldn’t resist! 

  • Hardcover:320 pages
  • Publisher:Bantam; 1st Edition edition (June 21, 2011)
  • ISBN-10: 0345527682
  • Source: Planned Television Arts

As an avid and devoted reader of the Stephanie Plum series, I was honored when my sister Jenn asked me if I would be interested in reviewing the latest book in her series.  This review is written with the understanding that the reader has read the previous books in the series. 

Smokin’ Seventeen begins the way most of Stephanie Plum’s days begin…with a stop to pick up doughnuts.  This doughnut stop is ruined though when Stephanie has a run in with Morelli’s Grandma Bella and is given “the eye.”  Will this act be the trigger of Stephanie’s decisions throughout the book?  I’ll leave that to you to decide.

In the previous book, Sizzlin’ Sixteen, the bond’s office is firebombed by Vinnie’s unhappy associates.  Because of this the bond’s office is now being run out of Mooner’s RV with the agreement that Mooner will be supplied with gas and burrito money.  The plot thickens when construction work at the bond’s office site a body with a hand exposed in a shallow grave is discovered.  Looking at the hand, the expensive pinky ring tells everyone that this is the body of Lou Dugan, owner of the local topless bar.  But why dump his body on the bond’s office site?  Stephanie’s curiosities are running. 

With business being down, Stephanie has no choice but to track down the few FTA’s she does have.  Tracking down and bringing in FTA’s has never been Stephanie and Lula’s strength so nothing changes here as they track down a 72 year old vampire, an armed robber who’s toe gets shot off when he calls Lula fat and lets not forget the dancing bear. 

Stephanie’s love triangle continues with occasional hook-ups with both Ranger and Morelli and Stephanie not being able to decide who it is she really wants.  We also must not forget Dave Brewer, a famous high school football player that Stephanie went to school with.  Stephanie’s mom doesn’t think Morelli or Ranger are appropriate choices.  Dave slides into Stephanie’s life making gourmet meals in her apartment for Stephanie and her friends.  How is a girl to pick?  I know my pick…hehehe.

 As several more bodies show up…some with notes attached saying “For Stephanie”, Stephanie can no longer ignore what is going on around her.  She is certain the killer is someone she knows…someone she sees on a regular basis.  Who could it be?  Could it be Nick Alpha, brother of Jimmy Alpha (the one man Stephanie has killed) seeking revenge against Stephanie for the murder of his brother?  Stephanie is determined to link Nick Alpha to the killings.  As the investigation ensues, Stephanie isn’t so sure she has the right guy and soon realizes the killer is someone much closer to her.

 Janet Evanovich doesn’t disappoint at anytime in Smokin’ Seventeen.  Between Stephane’s continued love triangle with Ranger and Morelli…the crazy and random FTA’s Stephanie and Lula try to apprehend, I was one reader that was kept on my toes.  I love this series and look forward to many more.  Stephanie lives a life full of plenty of excitement and lets not forget the good looking men.  What more could a girl ask for?  😉

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