BOOK REVIEW : SMOKIN' SEVENTEEN by JANET EVANOVICH - STEPHANIE PLUM # 17 - HEADLINE - CONTEMPORARY CRIME

By: Janet Evanovich

Published By: Headline

Released: Available Now

Details: Paperback from library, 306 Pages

RATING: 4 STARS

Blurb: Goodreads

Where there’s smoke there’s fire, and no one knows this better than New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum.

Dead bodies are showing up in shallow graves on the empty construction lot of Vincent Plum Bail Bonds. No one is sure who the killer is, or why the victims have been offed, but what is clear is that Stephanie’s name is on the killer’s list. Short on time to find the murderer, Stephanie is also under pressure from family and friends to choose between her on-again-off-again boyfriend, Trenton cop Joe Morelli, and the bad boy in her life, security expert Ranger. Stephanie’s mom wants her to dump them both for a former high school football star who’s just returned to town. Stephanie’s sidekick, Lula, suggests a red-hot boudoir “bake-off.” And Joe’s old-world grandmother gives Stephanie “the eye,” which may mean that it’s time to get out of town.

With a cold-blooded killer after her, a handful of hot men, and a capture list that includes a dancing bear and a senior citizen vampire, Stephanie’s life looks like it’s about to go up in smoke.


BOOK REVIEW:

I feel like saying, ‘Scooby and The Gang are back’, with this never aging series of mystery and shenanigans.

I started reviewing this series 26th November 2016, so I’ve averaged one book a month (sort of).

Very much a rinse and repeat series, but I can’t seem to stop reading it, even though yet again the villain—the murderer—was so plainly obvious and Steph couldn’t see what was in front of her nose.

I adore Lula and Steph, but I am almost craving more growth from them. They can be funny and silly, but let’s see some growth in their skills.

Surely by now they have learned the best technique to catch an FTA?

After this many books, it’s plain to see that Steph’s dad lives a very unhappy life. I would like to see the man get a night out with his wife… something! Poor mum irons when she is stressed, and that is a lot. Let’s see those two look happy to be married to each other.

I am soooooooooo #teamranger but even his dialogue and actions are starting to feel de ja vu. It’s a little flat and when Steph and Ranger do get it on… I’ve lost my ability to even care, I think, because I know nothing will come of it.

Somebody slap me in the face for saying that!

Joe… you poor, poor man. Janet, what are you doing to him? #unsureofhowifeelaboutacertainsomething

I really don’t know that many authors that can get away with no growth and constant recycling of story to no real resolution for this many books and more and sell so many freakin’ books. I do know there are another 6 books for me to read and there will be no resolution or growth and I can be okay with that... but I wish I had more.

It’s the weirdest thing. It’s like Bella, Joe’s grandmother has given me the stink-eye and addicted me to these books, even though you could skip every 6th one and read a quarter of them and be satisfied you haven’t missed anything in Joe-Steph-Ranger world.

I congratulate the author/publishers on convincing readers to stick with this series for so long… twenty years!!! That is freakin’ amazing, but is it time after #23 to close up shop, or shake the shit out of this series?

With so many books and authors flooding the market, it ain’t like it used to be pre 2010.

I am still addicted, but I think I get a little less enthusiastic with each rinse and repeat, because it feels like Janet is a little less enthusiastic. There are so many avenues to shake this series up and still keep her strict formula (if she must).

Dive deeper with emotions. Make it harder to guess the villain. Give the folks some joy in their lives. Have Grandma Mazur do something different. Lawd... everybody is parking up around her and she’s still forcing her way to the front of the viewing. Bob is still eating knickers—even large ones. Give Rex a girlfriend and a new soup can to sleep in. Teach Steph some self-defence skills.

A series of 6-10 books where the lead characters are doing the same things wrong or recycled, over and over is acceptable, but now I am starting to bang my head against the headboard when reading.

Signed



Still Addicted