Four To Score

Rating:
Summary: A quick & very funny read
Review: In _Four to Score_, Evanovich recovers the tremendous wit and sparkle she showed in _One for the Money_. The writing flows easily, and the pages almost turn themselves. The plot isn't overly-complex, and it doesn't feel forced or contrived like _Two for the Dough_ did. The relationships between the main characters crackle as they did in the first book, and everything comes alive once more with Evanovich's pleasant style.

The main plot line in this installment has Stephanie chasing after Maxine Nowicki, who skipped on bail after an ex-boyfriend filed a car theft charge against her. Naturally, things go awry, various things belonging to Stephanie get blown up, and people who have spotted Maxine are turning up dead. The usual cast assists (or hinders) her in her investigations, and the book flows well.

The reader may or may not predict the ending, but it doesn't really matter much, because it's the ride through the story that'll provide the enjoyment here. I'm glad I didn't abandon the series after the unfortunate second book, and the luke-warm third. I really recommend _Four to Score_.

Rating:
Summary: Low-rent Grafton
Review: What's the appeal of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series?
I read someplace that readers look for themselves when reading a novel. In the face of one reviewer's contention that Evanovich appeals to both men and women, I looked at about half of the Amazon five-star reviews and most of them came from women. So then, what could a supposedly objective male reader find in Evanovich? I was intrigued by the female bounty hunter. I also liked Evanovich's facility with repartee. She knows where her talent lies and there's a heavy emphasis on dialogue. The main character is also likable and self-deprecating. One can't help but think Kinsey Millhone.
But outside of the witty dialogue I don't find Evanovich all that humorous.This is an example of Evanovich humor: "Vinnie (Stephanie's bail bondsman boss and cousin) was 5'7", looked like a weasel, thought like a weasel, smelled like a French whore and was once in love with a duck." The supposedly funny situations revolve around Stephanie's relationship with Vinnie; her co-worker Lula, a reformed prostitute; 73-year-old Grandma Mazur; and love interest, Joe Morelli. You can find most of these people on TV every night under various aliases.
One would also expect a bounty hunter to have a bit more of a hard edge. But no, Stephanie is sugar and spice and everything nice; she's preoccupied with winding up in the sack with Morelli, Grandma's home cooking, and how she's going to find transportation after totaling another car.
Joyce Barnhardt, who competes with Stephanie for jobs, does offer a kind of Professor Moriarty foil, but a good villain needs to be as smart as the hero and Joyce is mostly there to provide the potential for a titillating cat fight.
Like many of the other reviewers, I started rather late in the series; I suppose because that was the one offered by Literary Guild. I've read two of these now and I had to check to make sure I wasn't reading the same one twice. This one deals with Maxine Nowicki, who's been charged with jumping bail after stealing her former boyfriend's car. Murders and firebombings ensue, pedestrian all, and I'm not talking about jay walkers.
Evanovich is a low-rent Sue Grafton. Save yourself some time and read the real thing.

Rating:
Summary: One of the top series to listen while you walk
Review: I walk often, alone, at night. Need a story that keeps me motivated to get the tennis shoes on. This series does it! Four to Score made me want to move to Jersey, to meet the men and Grandma, if nothin' else. Keeps your interest. Not so gruesome that it requires company. I've listened to one other, and will go back and request each audio tape so I don't miss a one.

Rating:
Summary: Where does she come up with these characters
Review: Stephanie is at it again, only this time she might just put bullets in the gun. She keeps her gun in the cookie jar and is dreadfully afraid of bullets but things are getting shaky and this might just be the time to fill those chambers. A nearly 7 foot transvestite who hates to shave has teamed up with Stephanie Plum, and grandma Mazur's teeth have nearly fallen out when they show up for dinner.

Stephanie's nemesis Joyce Barnhardt, who was found boinking Steph's ex-husband on their dinning room table, has decided to become a bounty hunter too. The one time make-up girl at Macy's is getting in the way and Lula is forced to ZAP her to keep her in line. The laughs keep on coming and the relationship with Joe Morelli is getting hotter by the minute. These books just keep getting better and better. Evanovich never disappoints her readers. Kelsana 3/3/02

Rating:
Summary: FOUR SCORES LOW FOR ME!!!!!!
Review: I have read these book in order and I think I gave the first three a five rating. "Four" has all the great characters of the first three plus two newcomers. Namely, Sally Sweet and Sugar. I hope Sally Sweet is back again. He added a great deal of humor to the book. This is a very good mystery that will hold your attention until the last for the surprise ending. These books are fun to read and you will find your self laughing out loud in many places. I really like Stephanie, Joe, Lula and Ranger. Also, Grandma is always good for a laugh. Why did I give it a three??? Because of the sex part in this one. I know this is just me, but, the first three played about with sex with thoughts and a few words. This book got very descriptive with it which I did not like. To each his or her own and it won't matter to Evanovich at all but just my openion.

Rating:
Summary: Silly fun for Stephanie
Review: Once again, Stephanie has car trouble, man trouble, and even apartment trouble. This one got too silly for me. Ms Evanovich got caught up in the laughs so much, she forgot to put in the mystery. If you are depressed, you might enjoy this. It's fast and entertaining. I figured out the firebomber way too early. At the end, I didn't even care much about the person Stephanie was pursuing. I did like the way Steph's friends and family harassed her about the "glow" in her face.

Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: I've been reading the Stephanie Plum series out of order and just finished this one and all I can say is Wow! I love Ms. Evanovich's style of writing, her quirky characters, the dialogue, premise, etc. I can't wait to go on to the next one!

Rating:
Summary: Buy them all!!
Review: Do yourself a favor - don't just buy one. These are the most fun I've ever had reading a mystery. They just get better and better. If Ms. Evanovich writes a 1000 I'm buying them all!

Rating:
Summary: Start with any book in the series... but not to be missed!
Review: No let up, not one missed step... still raring for more from Janet! Bravo.. Big fun!

Rating:
Summary: Janet Evanovich is wonderful
Review: All of these books are wonderfully funny, and a joy to read over and over again!