Until about three years ago, you could have added this author to the list of things I’d never heard of. Now, I know that she has a net worth over $100 million, has 200 million books in print, and has been translated into 40 different languages. And, prior to my wife telling me about her a few years ago, I’d never heard of her. It’s amazing that someone so popular never even dances close to my radar. Next time you’re struggling to find something to read, think about that. There is so much out there, you’ll never run out. You’ll never stop discovering amazing new worlds. You’ll never stop finding writers with the power to reach out and touch the lives of millions.
So, okay, the Stephanie Plum novels aren’t earth shattering. But she has (literally) millions of fans. I don’t know why, but I am drawn to books that are that popular. This isn’t true with movies or music – I can be quite snobbish there. But a book that’s sold a few million copies? I’m intrigued.
Plum has lost her job as a lingerie buyer in Trenton, New Jersey. Down on her luck, with creditors knocking on her door, she ends up chasing a former flame who has skipped out on his bail. She’s woefully unprepared to be a bail bonds(wo)man, but is smart and plucky. She also stumbles upon a drug ring, a homicidal rapist, and a few murders.
It’s a familiar formula, and has been used to great effect by numerous authors (including a personal favorite: Jim Butcher). Evanovich isn’t breaking new ground, here, but she’s a capable enough writer, and the characters are likable (if a tad eye roll inducing). This book is inoffensive, predictable, and fairly bland. This is the Chris O’Donnel of books. It’s just sitting there, unobtrusive and forgettable, but good enough to get the job done.
I have no idea why these books are so popular, but I don’t know that’s there’s any great mystery there, either. They’re short, easy reads that entertain. At the end of the day, those may may not be the rarest traits in a book, far too many writers are incapable of consistently accomplishing them.
I’ll probably read at least a few more of these, but I’m in no rush. I’ll mark this up as a good find that I can return to whenever I’m stuck with nothing to read.
This has been read (that I’ve found) three times for the Cannonball Read, with an average rating of 3.
I don’t know if all of her fans live in New Jersey, but if you do, it really adds a lot more fun to the reading.
Maybe that’s why they’re so popular. Maybe this is required reading in New Jersey.
Maybe. :)
I remember my mom and her best friend (both former Jersey residents) pre-ordering these from Amazon a decade ago or more. And then passing them around all their friends.
I used to love this series so much. I would eagerly anticipate each new release. Then I realised that Stephanie was never actually going to have any significant character development, she was never going to actually choose between Joe and Ranger (don’t remember if Ranger’s in the first one), and the same formulaic crap was going to keep on repeating in each of the books. I think I gave up around book thirteen or so. The series is into its twenties now.
My co workers and I used to have lunch together in the small conference room so we could talk about Joe vs Ranger, but as you said, it got old after a while.
Agreed. Stephanie’s Peter Pan syndrome was cute for about thirteen or fourteen books but eventually I started getting frustrated that she couldn’t get her act together. And I love Ranger as much (more) as the next girl, but for someone who is supposed to be so super smart and special forces-y, he’s sure a big fat dummy when it comes to Stephanie. I mean, you have a literal building full of highly trained former military guys who can, you know, shoot to kill from a thousand yards, and you choose a girl who forgets to buy bullets to guard your back? Not smart, Carlos.
Anyway, Mom and Aunt say that the last couple of books have gotten much better.
That may be, but I was done giving Ms. Evanovich my time and money many years ago.
Oh, that gives me pause.
If she never grows up, I don’t know if I want to read any more of these.
The first ten or so really are a lot of fun. After that, it tends to turn into lather rinse repeat, really. Goodreads tells me that book 13 is the last one I read and I rated it 2 stars. I would absolutely read further in the series, just quit once you start not enjoying the formula anymore. Just don’t expect her to EVER make up her mind about which of the two hunky men in her lives will be her HEA.
I’m still reading them. I honestly have no idea if they have gotten better. I think so? It seems like there have been some baby steps toward figuring out Stephanie’s life, but who knows.
I started reading these because a co-worker was reading this first one and got so upset by it, ranting and raving that she should have been warned about the content (this was in the days before “trigger warnings”, etc.). I was curious about what could have been in such a popular book that might have upset her so much, so I took it off of my mother’s shelf and read it in about an hour. And I still have no idea what drove this woman over the edge. Overeating of donuts? Crazy grandmothers? Hot men? Hamsters?
Maybe the rapist, Ramirez?
That seems the most likely, because there really isn’t all that much else to object to.
I gave up on this series after three books. I figured they’d all be pretty much like that and I had other books I needed to spend my time on. Sounds like I was right! Judging from the above comments.