Apr 28, 2009

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich (audio)

Janet Evanovich's One for the Money is the first in the Stephanie Plum series, and after reading/listening to the in-between-the-numbers Plum novels I can see why people would find the in-between books disconcerting. Those novels deviate from the mystery formula and from the narrative Evanovich already has established.

In One for the Money, Stephanie Plum is down on her luck; she's lost her job, can't find work, and has begun selling off her furniture to pay her bills. Eventually she falls into the bail bond business with her cousin Vinny and is tasked with apprehending Joe Morelli, who is a cop on the lamb for allegedly committing murder and is attempting to clear his name. In her travels, she apprehends some small time criminals to get by with the help of professional bounty hunter Ranger.

Readers will laugh out loud at Stephanie's escapades and her attempts to become a tough bounty hunter when she doesn't even know how to hold a gun, let alone shoot it. Stumbling upon Morelli at every turn, she fails to apprehend him as he outsmarts her, throws her car keys in a dumpster, and kisses her until she's senseless. The tension between these characters is apparent from their first meeting, and there are definitely unresolved feelings between them. The tension between Ranger and Plum seems to be further in the background and more carnal.

The dynamics between Morelli and Plum leap off the page, and Plum comes into her own as a bounty hunter after she gets some tips on shooting and other tactics from Ranger and several other cops in Trenton, New Jersey. This is an enjoyable read on and off the page. Readers who love a good mystery or are interested in a fast-paced plot, should pick up this witty series.

About the Author:

Janet Evanovich is a writer born in South River, New Jersey.

She is principaly known to have created the character Stephanie Plum, a salesperson of lingerie that has to improvise as a bounty hunter to fill her fridge.

After four years at the art section of the Douglas College in New Jersey, Janet Evanovich decided to go into writing. Sending many manuscripts to several editors, she got as many refusals.

She builds Stephanie Plum with a well rhythmed style, strong characters as the funny Mamie Mazur. Those adventures enjoy a large success.

*** Giveaway Reminders***

Don't forget to enter the Keeper of Light and Dust giveaway, here and here. Deadline is April 28 at 11:59 PM EST.


There's a giveaway for 5 copies of Girls in Trucks by Katie Crouch, here; deadline is April 29, 2009, 11:59 PM EST.

A giveaway of The Mechanics of Falling by Catherine Brady, here; Deadline is May 1 11:59 PM EST

5 Joanna Scott, author of Follow Me, books giveaway, here; Deadline May 4, 11:59 PM EST.

16 comments:

Karen Beth said...

Love your blog and the verses! I have left a gift for you here. http://kbpinkbookmark.blogspot.com/2009/04/one-lovely-blog-award.html

Blodeuedd said...

I love these books :D
How great a movie would be! lol

Sandy Nawrot said...

These are the books you read after you've slogged through a WWII book! I can't remember too well, but Lula must not be in the scene yet. To me, she is one of the best characters in the series. Her and the grandmother. I've heard rumblings about a Stephanie Plum movie, but it sort of died down. I'm not sure they'd ever be able to do the books justice.

Anna said...

I heard a bit of this one that day in the car with you and thought it was hilarious!

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

bermudaonion said...

I enjoyed reading this book - glad to see it worked as an audio book too.

Jo-Jo said...

I think you know that I also loved this audiobook! It had me just laughing every day that I listened to it in my car. I think about ready to get started on the second one now.

Iliana said...

The first Plum books are really great. I love the zany characters, in particular grandma Mazur and Lula.

Ladytink_534 said...

My mom made me try these books shortly before the 12th one came out and I'm so glad she did! I've heard clips from the audiobook but I'm so used to the way it sounds in my head that it's just too distracting for me.

Serena said...

Everyone seems to love Lula and Grandma Mazur. LOL And I think Lula is my favorite.

Carrie K. said...

I've been listening to these on audio - I'm on number 4 - and absolutely love them! I drive my kids crazy, cause I laugh out loud frequently, but can't tell them why, because it's usually at one of Lula's profanity-laced exclamations!

Nicole said...

My mom is a big fan of these books. I haven't read any, but it does sound like a good story. Maybe I'll have to check it out.

Serena said...

Carrie: I laugh at the same parts!

Nicole: These are fun reads.

Jill said...

I came late to the audio version of these books, but they are a hoot. I may have to go back and have a re-listen one of these days. What a fun series!

Serena said...

Darla: I think reading them first may have provided me with a different experience of these books...but the audios are a riot. Its great to see how the speakers interpret the characters.

Darlene said...

I just love this series on audio. There's one narrator especially that I like and I can't remember her name but I'm sure she's done all the earlier ones-she's just great. Glad you liked it.

Serena said...

Dar: I love it on audio. I don't remember the narrators' names...lol