REVIEW: Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich

Title: Smokin’ Seventeen (Stephanie Plum, #17)
Author: Janet Evanovich
Publisher: Bantam
Publication Date: June, 2011
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 10/10

Description: 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 evidence proving the killer’s identity, Stephanie faces further complications when her family and friends decide that it’s time for her to choose between her longtime off-again-on-again boyfriend, Trenton cop Joe Morelli, and the bad boy in her life, security expert Ranger. Stephanie’s mom is encouraging Stephanie to dump them both and choose a former high school football star who’s just returned to town. Stephanie’s sidekick, Lula, is encouraging Stephanie to have a red-hot boudoir “bake-off.” And Grandma Bella, Morelli’s old-world grandmother, is encouraging Stephanie to move to a new state when she puts “the eye” on Stephanie.

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.

My Thoughts: Once again, Evanovich delivers a fast paced and side splitting hysterical adventure starring everyone’s favorite bounty hunter, Stephanie Plum and the usual cast of supporting characters, Lula, Grandma Mazur, Morelli, Ranger, Connie and Mooner. There’s also a new character in the book, a possible competitor for Stephanie’s affections and, if her mother has anything to do about it, will be Stephanie’s next husband.

And if that isn’t awkward enough, the bonds office is gone and the gang is working out of Mooner’s bus. Makes for some cramped quarters and after one FTA who believes he’s a vampire tries to give Lula a hickey, she’s convinced she’s turning into a creature of the night. Things just can’t seem to happen smoothly for Stephanie and especially after Morelli’s grandmother puts the eye on Stephanie, she’s convinced she’s cursed.

I love this series, as campy and crazy as it can sometimes get. When Stephanie is around, you can rest assured that people will die and cars will be blown up, but it all seems to work out and she comes through it all in one piece. 2011 will be an excellent year for Stephanie fans as there will be two releases this year. Book #18 will be out in November and I’m very much looking forward to it.

And if the book isn't enough to entertain you, there's always the movie and that's definitely something to look forward to!