Even though I’m trying to catch up on my book reviews, I am trying to not half ass them. If that means going and reading a summary to remind myself about the book so that I can get in the moment, so be it. However, I’m not going to do that with this book…and I’ll tell you why. Stephanie Plum novels were gems…right up until what? Maybe book 8? Then after that, I’d check them out in the library a few years after they came out and yeah, I’d smile, maybe chuckle here or there and then I’d return the books to the library and promptly forget them. Here’s what I’m pretty sure what happened and (some of the stuff I remembered):
- Lula and Stephanie were inept at their jobs.
- Lula wore something super tight and that inhibited her ability to run or do anything useful except maybe give out some sass and possibly shoot at someone in a public place.
- I think Lula gets abducted…oh wait, I think it was Stephanie that gets abducted.
- There’s kind of a wacky and yet half-assed mystery with enough clues that you know exactly what’s happening on page 25…but the BIG REVEAL doesn’t happen until like the last page.
- Being a Jersey girl and Stephanie’s hair gets referenced often.
- Vinnie being a bum and yelling from his office happened.
- Morelli and Stephanie should go to counselling because at this point there’s no way that they should be in a relationship–their communication skills suck. Morelli’s especially in this particular book.
- Grandma Mazur did something cutesy like the old grandma in the Wedding Singer…but Grandma Mazur does all her adorably hip stuff at funeral homes–because it’s fun!
- Of course Stephanie’s car dies and a car that Ranger gives her blows up (that’s been a HILARIOUS gag for 22 books, I hope it NEVER ENDS! #burnallthecars
- Ranger calls Stephanie, “Babe” and we get told that he’s Cuban American a lot.
- Stephanie is still in love with both Ranger and Morelli in the weakest, most burned out love triangle since…I don’t know…what’s the worst love triangle that you can think? It’s worse than that. Ranger has a soft spot for her and treats her like she’s 10/his personal property to care for, while Morelli treats her like she’s 10 and honestly loves her AND YET shuts her out when the scariest thing in his life occurs.
- Stephanie acts like a 10 year old and allows herself to be treated like a child.
- Stephanie might’ve fed Rex the hamster in this installment, I don’t remember…
Long story short. I still read these books just like I still go to Taco Bell. I know it’s not going to be a good taco (or anything actually like a good taco) but it’ll do in a pinch when I’m starving. I know what’ll be on it and that’s comforting, and yet I know I could be eating a better taco any day of the week. I’m sure I’ll read 23 when it’s available at the library for me to read.
Based on the thirteen Stephanie Plum books I read before I quit, I suspect your plot summary is spot on. I can understand the Taco Bell analogy, but to me, these books stopped being comfort food at some point and just seemed like wastes of time. There are so many other shiny books out there I barely have time to read, I can’t keep going with series that no longer entertain me.
I think you’re absolutely right and I think I’m finally ready to give them up. I stopped reading them for a while and then got nervous that I was missing something! I can say that I skipped six books and I am certain that I missed nothing.
I think I finally bailed after 15. I just couldn’t get behind someone who continues to be terrible at her job despite having many, many opportunities to learn and improve. Also, I realized that since Stephanie was dead-set against personal growth, that “triangle” was never going to play out in any way that might be interesting. Ranger could do so much better. Hell, so could Morelli.