"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.