To the Nines: A Stephanie Plum Novel

Rating:
Summary: Audio books at their best
Review: Most of us who listen to audio books do so because we want to occupy our minds during walking, running etc.--not necessarily because we prefer the spoken to the written word. This is the first audio book to which I have listened that seemed much the better for the skills of the narrator, Lorelei King. Ms. King's array of voices added greatly to the humor and suspense. If you haven't experienced an audio book, try this one.

Rating:
Summary: Evanovich Wrote Another Plum Goody! A+
Review: I enjoyed this book perhaps a little more than the other ones. It definitely had a little more excitement to it-that's for sure.

This time, cousin Vinnie, Stephanie's boss, gives her an assignment that is not only tough-but very dangerous. She has to capture Singh, who violated his visa bond and disappears. She tracks him down as being in Vegas, so good old Lula, the tough former prostitute, and Connie, the office manager, go along with her and find out after they've arrived of course, that Singh is dead. There is more danger lurking in the background, and Stephanie is definitely being stalked. The stalker has to be someone from TriBro, Singh's old workplace. There was trouble there, and that's where this whole charade began. The only thing is, which guy is after Steph? Is it Bart, or Clyde? Someone is leaving Steph deadly notes along with carnations telling her she better watch out. Ranger and Morelli, Stephanie's two loves are watching out for her, but may not be able to keep her safe all the time, (they don't).

And there is always the eccentric Grandma Mazur, goofy as ever. Then along with that on the homefront, Stephanie's sister Valerie is expecting a baby and is not yet married. Her parents have a houseful and are ready to go out of their mind. So in the last part of the story, Stephanie has them all move in to her tiny apartment together before the family hates each other.

Not a boring moment in this book. Very hard to lay it down!

Rating:
Summary: Low brow farce
Review: This is NOT a comic thriller mystery. It is farce first and foremost with a mystery as a side element--and not an intriguing mystery at that. A waste of time, I'd have to say.

Rating:
Summary: Loved it!!
Review: This was my first time reading a Stephanie Plum novel. I thought it was great! I love the way Evanovich writes the story in a down to earth manner. I will defintily go out and buy more of her books. This story was funny yet it kept you on your toes. I couldn't wait to get to the next page.

Rating:
Summary: Is this series losing steam? My answer? "Sadly, yes."
Review: Rating this book was VERY difficult (for reasons which will be explained below). I really did not feel it rated a 4 on its own merit but, because I have been such a huge fan of the series, I gave it a higher score.

I have been a fan of the Stephanie Plum series from book #1 and have read 9 of the 10 (in order) and enjoyed them all to varying degrees. But I must say that I think this series is starting to falter. That's not to say it's not still funny. In "To the Nines" in particular, Lula's "all meat" diet and especially the scene in Vegas at the Tom Jones show had me ROLLING. However, a few funny scenes does not a story make.

I'm getting really tired of Stephanie being the victim, screwing up over and OVER again (doesn't she learn ANYTHING from her mistakes?) and constantly needing a white knight (namely Morelli, Ranger or one of the Merry Men) to ride in and rescue her. What kind of image is this for women???

Maybe it's just me and I'm getting tired of the series, but I am just not finding the same level of "I HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK NOW!" excitement with #9 that I had earlier in the series.

Rating:
Summary: There's Hope for a Serious Novel Yet
Review: I enjoyed this for the same reason several reviewers did not - the dark, serious mood that prevailed instead of the slapstick comedy that seems to dominate the other nine novels. This was also a good mystery, the idea of the "game" was superb, the action intense, the romance and heat between Stephanie, the cop and Ranger still going strong...

I would like to see more along this line. We are sick of the car problems, the nutty grandma and that &@$& hampster. Evanovich excels in the introduction of minor characters that somehow become part of the overall story - witness Ranger and Lula not to mention the cross-dresser and Valerie's man. The plot line was more in line with traditional mysteries and the surprise - that the people were killing each other in a "game" - was only a prelude to the horrifying chase through the dark factory. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This is the first book of Stephanie Plum that I read and have the two must important things that a book must have , the main story is very interesting and unpredictable and will keep you in the book all the time, the second story, her personal life will keep you laughing all the time, so you will not be bored while you read this book.