I am a HUGH Janet Evanovich and Stephanie Plum fan. She is one of my favorite authors. When I say HUGE fan, I mean HUGE. I have advanced reading copies, hardcover first editions, a few foreign editions, and paperbacks for actual reading and loaning about. Some are autographed and some aren't. When I used to sell books for a living, she was a top recommendation. With the exception of my brother, my whole family reads this series. Why, you ask? Because she makes me laugh...out loud and snort, and giggle, sometimes in inappropriately public places. When I got to the cliffhanger at the end of 'High Five" I actually screamed "NO!!!" and threw the book across the room because I would have to wait a year for book six.
After we went to see the movie on Sunday I needed to reread "One For the Money". Mostly because my sister and I couldn't agree and/or remember if some things in the movie had been in the book. After finishing it I remembered why I used to tell people to start with book two. Book one is dark. Darker than the movie, and much more serious than any other book in the series. It also has the most well constructed mystery of the series. I don't read the series for the mysteries. Honestly, I don't usually even remember what they are after I'm done. I read it for the characters. For Stephanie, Ranger, Morelli, Lula and Grandma and the craziness the author dreams up for them. And for the smouldering sexual tension between Stephanie and Morelli and Stephanie and Ranger depending which guy your for. They both work for me. But back to the book, Benito Ramirez is a seriously scary villian. Stephanie also has a desperation, a helplessness and a weight that you that you don't see in later books. This bounty is the difference between surviving and not. You understand why she is sees this as her only option. The other characters, especially Lula face true jeporady as a result of Stephanie's actions. I like the book and the series. Is it great literature? No. A memorable mystery? No. Lots of fun? Damn skippy it is.
(Originally posted 02/02/2012)
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