I do have to say this one WAS much more fun than Fearless Fourteen and Finger Lickin’ Fifteen–by far.  Of course, there were still far to many fart jokes.  What’s with that?  Has that always been there, and I just not notice?

I only have a few complaints about this book.  Stephanie doesn’t seem to be in any legitimate danger anymore.  Evanovich isn’t even going through the trouble of having her get RESCUED anymore … she’s just escaping.  There was no serious Grandma Mazur time.  And she totally set us up to duke it out with Wulf, and he just poofed.

Although, the book seems like a good platform for the planned Diesel Series to jump off of.  I can smell the ideas cooking in the last two chapters of the book.  YES, p-uh-lease!  I’d LOVE to read a Diesel spin-off series!

by Janet Evanovich

Why even bother doing a chapter by chapter analysis on a Stephanie Plum book?  It’s probably the only time I’ll ever do one on of Janet Evanovich’s books.  They’re all generally the same story flavored differently.  I love them for their spice.

Chapter One

And the mystery begins!  What did Lula see?  Could it have been anything serious?  Is someone likely to be after her now?  Why are Stephanie and Morelli broken up?  What’s going on with Ranger and these robberies?  Will Stephanie finally get it on with him? Oh the possibilities.

My guesses: Lula and/or Stephanie will almost get killed by the end of this book.  Stephanie will get REALLY CLOSE, but not go all the way with Ranger.  Grandma Mazur will do something hysterical.  Stephanie will either make up with Morelli for a romantic ending, or stay mad at him on principle…or both.

Chapter Two

Who is messing with Ranger?  Could this be someone from his mysterious past?

Chapter Three

Can’t even make it out of chapter three without Stephanie needing to change her clothes?  Guess not.  At least it paint this time and not dog … ew.

Chapter Four

Pay attention to Ramon.  Either I’m over-thinking it, or he doth praise Ranger WAY too much.  And Stephanie’s going to eat something Lula cooked … willingly.  Bad idea.

Chapter Five

And here it comes.  As expected, enter Grandma Mazur.

Awe, that was kinda disappointing.  Maybe the fun part of the chapter is next.

Well, I was right about Lula almost getting killed, but it’s still early…it may happen again.

We all know Stephanie is ultimately going to end up with Morelli.  I think that’s why Evanovich invented this fight we haven’t seen.  However, I’ve always been a fan of Ranger.  I’d totally do Ranger.  Stephanie has a lot more self-control than I do.  She and Morelli are technically broken up … right?

Chapter Six

Keep an eye on that list.  Stephanie is a silly girl, it’s probably the one she least suspects.  And do we really need another crack at these ribs?  There better be an explosion or something!

No sooner were the words out of my mouth…BOOM!  Dogs managed to intrude too.  Miss Evanovich is getting way too good at this.  She knows Stephanie is going to end up with Morelli.  She just loves writing these books, and I’m not sure she thinks they’ll work with a “settled” Stephanie.  Though, she doesn’t have to be SINGLE to be unsettled!  Let her take up with Morelli!  It’s driving me bonkers.  Otherwise, she needs to sleep with Ranger.

98% sure it’s not Diaz.  He’s got to be the closest thing to family Ranger has around, and he’s too obvious the way that he is.  Nope.  Not him.  However, I do think Stephanie will get him to smile by the end of the book.  At least, I hope she does.

Chapter Twelve

So, I took a two month hiatus from this book to read other things.  This is uncommon of a Plum book–they’re so easy to read–but I’m glad I did this commentary, because it has allowed me to catch up and continue reading.  I’ve done most of the recent reading away from the computer, hence the lack in chapter by chapter responses.

Stephanie has seen more fires, explosions and has been painted again.  Joyce Burnhart is back, ugh.  I kind of hope she’s the one breaking into the Rangeman houses.  She’s crazy enough to.  Her only purpose is to make Stephanie’s life a living hell.

This book is a bit of a disconnect from the others.  I liked where Evanovich was going … to hell with this monkey wrench!  Come on.  Give Stephanie SOME happiness!  If the series has to die, so be it.  I highly doubt it will though.  Stop teasing us Ms. Evanovich!  Let’s tie the knot with Morelli and Plum!  Think about the possibilities after THAT happens!  There should be an epic fight with Morelli and Ranger for Stephanie and Stephanie should see why Morelli is the right man for her forever.  Or however you want it to end up … but it has to end up … we can’t go on like this ad nauseum.

Chapter Thirteen

Okay, Larry dressed as Julia Child redeemed almost all the issues I’ve had with the book thus far.  That fight was totally ten-year-old worth it.  What ever happened to Miss Sally Sweet?  Evanovich sure likes her men in drag.

Chapter Fifteen

Yeah … I think we’ve had enough explosions and things on fire.  And fart jokes?

Chapter Sixteen

Grandma Mazur going to Rangeman … why do I have a baaaad feeling about this?

Awe, no Grandma and Ranger action, but she did get to fire her gun … always fun.

Chapter Seventeen

Either the book has gotten better or I was just not in the right state of mind for Plum when I started reading.  Both are equally possible.  This chapter was great.  Too bad Morelli interrupted Stephanie and Ranger.  I think Morelli’s turn around is just as random as the fight they supposedly had before the book begins … but I’m glad things are back to normal.

Chapter Eighteen

Now THIS is the Stephanie Plum I know and love.

Chapter Twenty

Certainly not the best Plum, but not entirely disappointing.  I hope the next one is better.  It seems like Ms. Evanovich is milking old tricks when she was going in a nice direction in the books before this one.  Keep going Ms. Evanovich!  Don’t reinvent the wheel with every book.  We know enough about the characters now for them to be a bit more three dimensional.  They had been in the last two books.  I want more of that.

And I’m sorry to say that I didn’t find Ranger’s ending satisfying.  All that build up and it’s just a couple of random kids.  Evanovich had us going in a completely different direction, and the ending had no connection with the rest of the plot.  Rhiannon’s going to say I’m expecting too much … it’s just supposed to be fun.  I say it can be fun AND interesting!  Fun in inherent with Stephanie Plum mysteries, and we’ve certainly seen better Plums!

P.S.  I can’t WAIT to read “Plum Spooky!”  The first full length “Between-the-Numbers” book … which means a full length Diesel book. <333