"One for the Money"

[stoutfellow]

One for the Money is the first of a series of detective novels by Janet Evanovich. The protagonist, Stephanie Plum, is a thirty-year-old divorcee who, as the book begins, has recently been laid off from her job as a discount lingerie buyer. Struggling to find a job in economically-depressed Trenton, NJ, she finally (and reluctantly) latches on with her cousin Vinnie, a bail bondsman. The filing job she came about has been filled, but there's always a need for skip tracers. Her first big task ("assignment" is the wrong word; Vinnie tries to keep her away from it) involves a cop accused of murder. The cop is an old - what? "Friend" doesn't do it; neither does "enemy", nor yet "acquaintance" - named Joe Morelli, and more than a match for her novice bounty-hunting skills. Not, however, for her determination, as she stumbles into the middle of his own investigation, involving - well, I won't say more, so as not to spoil it, except to mention the psychopathic boxer and his pathetic manager...

It looks to be a fun series. Stephanie's growing pains, as she tries to get used to her new profession, provide much of the interest; obviously, that can't continue for too long into the series, but I'll take it while it lasts. She's no Nora Charles, nor a Miss Marple either, coming as she does from a gritty blue-collar ethnic background. She's not an Amazon, though; when she gets in over her head, she panics (as anyone normal would), although not so much as not to get out again. Her relationship with Morelli seems likely to play a major role in future books; it's too complicated to describe in a brief review, but it's more than a little amusing.

I'm definitely going to continue with this series.

Comments

[hornedhopper.livejournal.com]

I have read a couple of Evanovich's books, based on the recommendation of another friend whose judgment I trust. Somehow, she just didn't *take* with me. I'm not sure why; I love the genre. Favorite genre authors include Spencer-Fleming, Denise Hamilton, Sue Grafton, J.A. Jance, P.D. James, Martha Grimes, M.C. Beaton, Nancy Picard, Tony Hillerman. For grittier mystery, I also like Ridley Pearson (discovered when he and Dave Barry came to Scottsdale to sign their Peter Pan book), Linda Fairstein, Michael McGarrity, and Jonathan Kellerman. I used to read Patricia Cornwell, but I finally got too freaked out by her villains' increasing and detailed cruelty - it started scaring me, and I had to quit reading her about 5 years ago.

Maybe it's like P.G. Wodehouse. Everyone I know *loves* his series. I tried. I really did. But I just never *got* it.

[stoutfellow.livejournal.com]

I sometimes fret that I'm too easy to please.

[hornedhopper.livejournal.com]

"I sometimes fret that I'm too easy to please."

I somehow *doubt* that! You are an omnivore when it comes to reading (g); sometimes I think I must be vegetarian, content to nibble on lighter, easy to digest book leaves...

[oilhistorian.livejournal.com]

I've always viewed Evanovich as more comedy than mystery. Plus, they've got Tastykakes (http://www.tastykake.com) in 'em. Back in Texas, that was taste of home for me right there.

[stoutfellow.livejournal.com]

I've always viewed Evanovich as more comedy than mystery.

Hmm. I'm open to the possibility, but there were rather too many scenes of Grave Danger to Our Heroine for me to accept it completely. On the other hand, I'm going off a sample of one, and you obviously aren't, so I'll reserve judgement.

[desert-vixen.livejournal.com]

Stephanie Plum is pretty good, IMO, up to about book 9. Book 10 was ehhhh, and I haven't read 11 because I'm waiting for the paperback. Which should be here soon because 12 is getting ready to come out in hardback.

I think Hot Six and Seven Up are the best entries in the series.

The humor takes some getting used to in places, but I think what oilhistorian may be referring to in part is that a lot of the Grave Danger to Our Heroine ends up being the sort of danger that makes people say, "How come this kind of thing only happens to YOU?". That, and the supporting characters that come up slightly later in the series are freaking hilarious. Grandma Plum is a BIG one.

And I love Joe Morelli, but maybe that's just me.

DV

[stoutfellow.livejournal.com]

the supporting characters that come up slightly later in the series are freaking hilarious.

I haven't met Grandma Plum yet, of course, but Grandma Mazur is worth the price of admission.

Thanks for the tips!

[coalboy.livejournal.com]

I have read at least two, decided that was enough, but would like to read the plot summaries to be aware. Have you read the Jacqueline Kirbys yet? And if you change your mind about Amelia Peabody, lemme know.

[stoutfellow.livejournal.com]

I'll provide summaries, when and if I read and review them. Haven't read the Kirbys, no; and again, thanks for the offer, and I'll keep it in mind.

[filkferengi]

A lot of the listies get a big kick out of the Evanovich books; if you post your review over there, you'd probably generate some friendly discussion [don't forget to allow for the weekend slowdown].

The first one didn't click with me either, but that was one try a while back. On a different day, who knows?

Do you know if there're any short stories? That might be a better intro, without the implied commitment of a full novel.

Congruent as we are in some ways, there'll always be differences. For example, hornedhopper & I both enjoy Julia Spencer-Fleming, but I've only read them once, because the first reading was so intense & visceral. Going by the author list, I'd suspect she has a higher tolerance for violence than I do, whereas I have a higher preference for puns. [shrug] It's still a fun discussion.

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

Somehow I missed this post of yours back when you posted it.

I've always thought about Janet Evanovich as being rather like literary cotton candy. Great fun while you're eating/reading it, but exceedingly ephemeral.

Doesn't keep me from getting on the hold list at the library every time a new one comes out, though.

[toraks.livejournal.com]

I'm in agreement with some of the others -- I tried this one twice, once on tape and once in print -- and I just couldn't get into it at all. It just really bored me and the protagonist was completely unrelatable.

But some of my best friends just love Evanovich. Oh well. ;-)