Hardcover: 308 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 1 edition (June 23, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312383282
ISBN-13: 978-0312383282
Stanley Chipotle, famed chef, had come to Trenton, New Jersey to participate in a barbecue cook off. Unfortunately, he didn't live long enough to even fire up his grill, never mind make his famous "Fire in the hole" barbecue sauce. He was decapitated by a cleaver wielding maniac and sidekick. Lula, file clerk at Vinnie's Bail Bonds, just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and witnessed the messy crime. The two men saw her and for the rest of the book, they try to eliminate their sole witness, one bumbling attempt after another.
Back at the bail bonds office, it's the same old, same old; Stephanie Plum, Trenton's most inept bounty hunter, is still trying to make ends meet by chasing down the bad guys who skipped out on their bail. She's still managing to get cars blown up or set on fire at a furious pace and still waffling between long time lover Joe Morelli the cop and the mysterious and sizzlingly sexy Ranger, head of Rangeman Securities. Now Ranger has a security problem so Stephanie, between her other crazy antics, has been moonlighting there part time.
Between working two jobs, Stephanie's been caught in the crossfire with Lula trying to escape Stanley's killers and this makes for some funny moments. The real hilarity comes in when Lula finds out Chipotle's sponsors are offering a million dollar reward for finding the killers. Lula gets the brilliant idea that they will show up at the cook off so with the enlisted help of Grandma Mazur, Lula tries to come up with a winning barbecue sauce recipe. Between a grill malfunction, no clue how to cook anything and stress bustin' trips to Cluck-in-a-Bucket fast food, you can just imagine how this turns out. Keep your head down and stay close to the fire extinguishers!
Of course, Stephanie loses more cars in a few days than anyone could in a lifetime.Of course, there couldn't possibly be this many crazy bail bond skippers in one little town. Of course, Stephanie's long suffering mother is still cooking pot roast in the "Burg" and hoping her daughter will settle down. Of course, some of the book is repetitive and predictable and yet . . . . . . . Of course, I laughed out loud! A lot. Grandma Mazur and Lula are two of the funniest characters I can think of. They are always good for a laugh or six or seven. You just need to suspend all disbelief in the improbable, settle back and be prepared to be entertained. I know I was! 4****
Disclosure: A copy of the book was borrowed from the County Library, thanks to my tax dollars!
I think I'm only up to #9 in this series (I was late to the party). I'm glad to see you gave it 4*!
ReplyDeleteBit nicer than I was, by now even the laughs feel repetitive .( But hey I am not giving up :D
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy Grandma and Lula's antics. I am ready for Stephanie to be somewhat successful and chose between Joe and Ranger.
ReplyDeleteI have yet to read one of her books. My coworker slapped for not doing so. Someday soon I will gt to them. I promise! Great review Kaye!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes Anna Karenena rewrite is a travesty. Enough with this stuff!!!!
I borrowed this one from a friend months ago and it's still sitting on my coffee table! The review books have been coming up first so this got pushed to the back of the pile. I have to get to it though because #16 comes out later this month! So glad you liked it. The stories and characters may be crazy but that's what so good about this series. It makes me laugh out loud too!! Awesome review Kaye! :)
ReplyDeleteI have one of he books on my TBR pile, they seem very popular
ReplyDeleteThose tax dollars were well spent too...I can't get enough of Ranger. I agree...suspend all belief and then just jump in with both feet!! Fun reading for sure!
ReplyDeletethat is a nice return on your tax dollar :) I just bought 25 books for $25 at our library sell, that's another nice return.
ReplyDeleteThese books are just plain fun and great for summer reading!
ReplyDeleteI gave up on this series at about book 10 I think. I am afraid you have a greater tolerance for the repetition than I do.
ReplyDeleteI like the books, I mean they are set in my state capital and yes, they are funny and yes, I like the characters but and maybe if I read this one on it's own, I would think it was good and funny and all..but sometimes maybe it is just time to just put a series to rest.
getting off the soapbox now...lol
I enjoyed reading your review. I love Stephanie, Grandma and Lulu (plus the two men). Reading your review put me in the mood for #16 coming out sometime this month.
ReplyDelete"Back at the bail bonds office, it's the same old, same old." I have to admit, the "same old same old" is why I gave up on this series. Though it might have been because I was reading them back to back and that might be too much for anyone. Perhaps a visit once a year would have been enough. But let me know when she finally decides between Ranger and Morelli!
ReplyDelete