Rating: 
Summary: Everybody should get to know Stephanie!
Review: Perhaps the best and most exciting part of any book is getting to know the characters. Rather it be through dialouge, actions, or discriptions the reader begins to relate him/herself to each character. What can make getting to know a character better? Making that character Stephanie Plum! She is witty and clever, sassy and sophisticated. She is one of the most entertaining characters I have ever known! With the turn of every page you can't help but wonder what she will get hersef into next, but you can be sure it will come with a good laugh. Every sarcastic comment and goofy analogy will come to be appreciated as you get to know Stephanie and join her as she battles life as a single woman working in New Jersey as a bounty hunter. There is no other character quite like Stephanie! Be prepared to laugh out loud and make a new friend when you read One for the Money. No matter how logical you may be, I guarantee when you finish the book you will find yourself wondering what Stephanie is up to. Just when you think you can't wonder anymore, the next Stephanie Plum novel will arrive in the mail with Stephanie finding herself in another predicament that is sure to be just as entertaining as the last. Do yourself a favor and pick up a Stephanie Plum novel and get to know Stephanie for yoursef!
Rating:
Summary: Keep Them Coming Please
Review: Okay, The first thing I want to say is, if you are contemplating the purchase of this book, save yourself time and frustration by plunking down the cold hard cash and buying all (seven so far) of this series in one shot. I consider myself fortunate that I didn't happen upon Evanovich's addicting stories of Stephanie and her colleagues until seven were written, because once started I just couldn't stop. I was hooked. When I finished the first book, I ordered the next two (used) from separate sellers on Amazon. They both showed up in a pretty timely manner. I finished both books also in a timely manner (who am I kidding - timely? It was fast, fast, fast), and rushed out to my local bookstore for books 4 and 5. Thinking I had plenty of time with these two I then ordered the 6th book (also used) from Amazon. I am now down to the last ten pages of book five and am using all of my strength to keep from finishing until book 6 shows up. Hurry please! I have to voice my respect for this author's ability to keep each book fresh, exciting, and funny. When one reads a series of books by the same author and barely takes time to pop a bag of microwave popcorn in between each, as I have done, one can become very aware of similarities and repetition. These books do have similarities, but instead of saying, oh come on now that happened in the last book or, been there done that, when certain scenes are revisited I find myself feeling nice and comfortable, like I was back in a familiar place that I liked a lot. The characters keep getting better and better with each book, with Grandma Mazur absolutely taking the prize. She is laugh out loud funny. I also have to admit that whenever Joe Morelli's name shows up on a page my heart skips a beat and I start thinking, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, what's going to happen next? What can I say other than the man is just delicious. What is really great is the relationship between Stephanie and Joe is never taken for granted, and just gets better and better, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! I don't remember reading a series of books I have enjoyed so much. I have book 7 (still in hard cover) on my Christmas list, but chances are I will never be able to make it that long. Even if I did it would be bad as I would surely resent all those people coming to my house Christmas Day who would get in the way of my reading. Hey, the mail just came and guess what? It's here, book 6, gotta go............
Rating: 
Summary: Nice, fun romp
Review: One for the Money is a fun book. It's actually funny without being heavy-handed (listening, Carl Hiassen?), it's got great character development (heads up, Agatha Christie?), and it's hard to put down.That said, don't expect a complex plot, or, in fact, any mystery at all. The "mystery" is simply a backdrop for poor Stephanie Plum's new job as a bounty hunter, and could concievably be dropped, since the only time the case really matters is in the last ten pages. The humor is dry and charcter-driven. Stephanie is an excellent rhymes-with-witchl, but without the malice associated with such a term...more like what used to be called a "broad." The humor occasionally becomes a bit too earthy, and gratuitous references are needlessly made for a cheap laugh. Most of the time, though, it's geniune straight humor. It's light reading; don't expect the clever plot twists of a Christie novel or a brilliant fair play deduction. I'd even consider it more of an "action" novel then a "mystery" novel, but they also have Tom Clancy under mystery at my local book store, so what do I know?
Rating:
Summary: Great debut novel
Review: Stephanie Plum is one of the most down-to-earth, funny, and gutsy heroines to come around in a long time. When she gets laid off from her job as a lingerie buyer, she goes to her cousin Vinnie in desperation. She is expecting to get a filing job, but instead she becomes a "bounty hunter", bringing in crooks who have failed to appear for a hearing date. It sounds like easy money, until she actually tries to jockey some of these brutes into her car to take them to the police. They resist in every way possible and Stephanie does some fast, on-the-job training. Her first case is a former lover of hers who has committed a murder, with some debate as to whether it was self-defense. She pursues him while being pursued by a violent, sadistic boxer who threatens great bodily harm to her. This story is told in a breezy, tongue-in-cheek manner which is very appealing and causes it to be a page-turner.
Rating:
Summary: ...a winner...
Review: What do you get when you combine a former lingerie buyer, a sleazy business owner and a former cop accused of murder? An utterly hilarious novel that is laugh out loud funny and very difficult to put down. Stephanie Plum has just had her car repossessed and no job prospects for six months. In desperation, she blackmails her cousin Vinnie into giving her a job as a bounty hunter. What follows is a comic romp through Stephanie's life as she tries to bring in a former fling for a promised $10,000. In the process, the reader is introduced to the seedier side of Trenton, New Jersey and the dangers involved in a not so glamorous profession. We are also given a glimpse into the pit falls of living entirely too close to Mom, not paying the phone bill on time and having only a hamster named Rex for company. If humor is more your speed and you're tired of the more serious and darker mystery novels that are out there today, do yourself a favor and introduce yourself to Stephanie Plum. She may still have a lot to learn in her new profession, but anyone who chooses to read One For The Money will surely enjoy the ride. Janet Evanovich has created one hell of a winner with this first novel in the series.
Rating:
Summary: don't judge a book by its cover...
Review: Not one for following convention, I have just read the first of the Stephanie Plum series after reading the fifth, second and third (..in that order). Being greatly impressed with High Five, a trifle bit less impressed with Three To Get Deadly, and non-plussed with Two For The Dough, I was concerned that Janet Evanovich's series simply improved with each new Stephanie Plum novel ... and One For The Money might be a comparative dud. Glad to say, I was wrong. One For The Money is the first Stephanie Plum adventure, and we learn how Stephanie makes the unusual career change from a buyer at a down-market ladies underwear retailer to a bounty hunter. We also get to meet the lovable yet crazy people in her life, including her wacky family. Janet Evanovich keeps the one-liners flowing as we are treated to a very good little mystery where her ex-boyfriend cop is wrongly accused of pre-meditated murder. The sexual tension, always pervasive (yet not crude) in Evanovich's novels, is palpable ... to a very humourous effect. Bottom line: a great intro into charming world of Stephanie Plum. Guys, don't judge these Stephanie Plum books by their flashy, 'girlie' appearances. (The UK versions of these books makes it a downright embarassment for a guy to be seen reading them.) These books are great fun for readers of either sex.
Rating:
Summary: A Very Cleverly Written Novel
Review: I came across this book because I was looking for books with a female heroine Private Eye. This book is the story of an ordinary blue-collar woman, who by chance circumstances, gets drawn into being a bounty hunter! She deals well with her circumstances, using ideas that ANY ordinary woman would have--she reacts in ways that any of us with no police background would--that's part of what makes this book so appealing. Almost every conversation in the book is so cleverly written, having smart remarks and double meanings--it's extremely enjoyable for anyone who really enjoys a "double entendre." It's very rare to find a writer who can do this, other than a journalist with years of experience. My thought is that this writer grew up in the sort of environment whe writes in--namely, people cracking smart remarks all the time! I highly recommend this book (although it does contain off-color language, but used appropriately), and do now plan to read her whole series of books. Sadly, due to the off-color language, however, I will not choose it for my bookclub.
Rating:
Summary: PEE YOUR PANTS FUNNY
Review: Janet Evanovich came to me as a recommended read by a friend of mine and I'll tell ya, I have never laughed so hard reading a mystery! The characters feel like family, Stephanie Plum and the gang are top notch. Janet Evanovich is one hell of a writer!
Rating: 
Summary: For the beach in a cloudy day
Review: Hilarious crime fiction introducing Stephanie Plum, a very likeable character who is the star and heroine, the story is told by Stephanie in first person. Plot quick and simple with coming events one after another and fast resolution. This book will not offer you a whodunit, nor a true crime with grizzly discoveries nor impressive twist and turns. Every other word Stephanie is cracking a joke. If you want to laugh out loud for a while go ahead and get it, if you want to think, better look for other authors.
Rating:
Summary: One For The Money
Review: Janet Evanovich's, One For The Money takes place in New Jersey where Stephanie Plum lives. This woman basically had no money and no food to live off of. She had loving parents whom lived close by her apartment. She recently had been laid off from a lingerie store. Sadly she went home that night to her parent' s house for dinner. Where everything changed in her world when her mother made a suggestion. The suggestion had been that she should talk to her cousin, Vinnie who was in charge of a bail bond's man agency. Taking the suggestion made by her mother she went to Vinnie's office where she instead of filing papers was on her way to be an apprehensive agent. She got a case from Connie, Vinnie's secretary. The case dealt with a murder that a police officer committed. The police officer, being Joe Morelli was by coincidence the man who was the first to make her unclean. She signed a bond agreement that stated that if she turned Joe Morelli in she would receive $10,000.The money could tremendously help her out with paying her rent off. So off she went in looking for Joe Morelli who supposally had killed Ziggy Kulesza on purpose when arriving at Carmen Sanchez's apartment. Joe went to Carmen's apartment because she had called him of a police matter. According to Morelli it was in self-defense that he shot Ziggy Kulesza. At the scene they said there was another suspect who fled when the police had arrived. Not only did that suspect disappear but also did Carmen. Stephanie got more information on the case and met with Ranger Manoso. When discussing the case with him she figured out that Ziggy worked for Benito Ramirez, the champion of boxing. She went after Ramirez in hoping that she could get information for the case. When she went to meet him at the gym she had unpleasant attack on her and was saved by Morelli. A number of times after that she ran into Morelli and they had nice conversations but just could not arrest him. After meeting Morelli, many times they become friends. He made an agreement to her that she could have her money if she did not turn him in and prove him innocent. He also could protect Stephanie in case Ramirez tried to attack her again. Later through out the story she got many threatening phone calls and even an unpleasant view in front of her apartment. It was of a dead body that was brutally beaten by Ramirez. He was a sick man who liked to molest women. Stephanie again tried to confront him but this time ran into Jimmy Alpha who was in charge of Ramirez. He apologized for all the assault she had received due to Ramirez. Eventually she figured out who the missing suspect was and what had happened to Carmen. Stephanie figured all this out when she followed Louise to a marina bank post. There she called Morelli and they went on that dock and found Louise and Carmen's body dead. They found no evidence of the gun that Carmen and Louise were killed with. Ramirez and Jimmy did this all. She locked all of them into the refrigeerator including Morelli and turned it in to the police. Her check was for $10,000 was on her. She went home that day and ran into Alpha at her house that tried to kill her and finally explained to her the missing story. Jimmy Alpha was in charge of Ramirez who was in charge of Ziggy. Who with Louise the missing suspect killed Carmen. All of these people were involved with importing cocaine into town. Jimmy warned her that Ramirez was on his way to assault her again. At that point she felt confused about turning in Morelli because she kind of missed him and realized that he was innocent. Jimmy shot Stephanie in the leg but Stephanie pulled out her gun and shot him. Later she heard a knock on the door, it was Morelli. He was released of all charges and walked in with a box of pizza.
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