Rating: 
Summary: what happened?
Review: I have to say first, that I loved the first 7 books. They were hilarious and had a heroine that was gutsy and believeable which made me really look forward to Hard Eight.
Boy, I was disappointed...what happened? Stephanie does get her man, but not through her own resourcefulness or guts. In One for the Money, she seemed more assured, more gutsy, more...something! In this outing, she has her mom, her sister, Ranger, Morelli (although, can't be sure, he's in the book so little) running over rabbits, and tracking her man down for her... There are some funny moments, but they seem like the same moments from before....and don't get me started on the 10 line paragraph/resolution of Steph with Ranger, the hottest flirting I've ever read anywhere, and then....what happened?
Overall, I would have to say, that I would prefer not to have a little book out, like the christmas novella every six months, and have Janet work on her next book all year round, it just seems that she can turn out a better book if that's the only one that she's working on.
Rating: 
Summary: a formulaic Stephanie Plum mystery ... smiles all around
Review: Probably all of the folks reading this review have read the other seven Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich and are looking for word on whether the eighth ('Hard Eight') is worth the bother. The answer: yes. But it could have been better, and I recommend the author injecting something new and exciting in the next installment.'Hard Eight' is the usual pastiche of bounty hunter babe Stephanie Plum working herself out of ridiculous situations. In 'Hard Eight' the author presents a rather straightforward and fun story involving a missing mother/daughter and the baddies who are chasing them. And of course we are delighted with the nutty behaviour of the criminals, Stephanie's friends and her co-workers. And yes, in 'Hard Eight' Stephanie finally consumates her friendship with Ranger. While this should have been a hilarious episode the author oddly doesn't milk it for all the laughs it's really worth. Bottom line: sort of a "been there, done that" Stephanie Plum novel. Not a classic but well worth the bother.
Rating:
Summary: Still questions unanswered for me...
Review: I sit eagerly awaiting the next Stephanie Plum book; so let me begin by saying that Hard Eight is not my favorite of the series. I loved the humor in this volume it had me laughing out loud (as I had hoped for). Stephanie's adventure with her newest addition Kloughn had me ready to scream because he kept tagging along, but actually I came to love the scenes with him. I'm not giving a lot away by saying the dryer scene alone makes Kloughn one of the highlights of this episode in the Stephanie Plum series.
I may be one of the few though who found the last 50 or so pages to be a non-stop rush of events that built from her heated flirting with Ranger to a blink of an eye event that made me go back to make sure I hadn't skipped over some pages. The book flashed over a scene between Stephanie and Ranger that made you think "Wait, What happened?" It was like a cliffhanger that wasn't because you knew the answer but none of the facts. Let me just say Stephanie and Ranger have had some of the hottest flirting through several of the previous books and Hard Eight let it hit straight ice water. Nothing to do with the books but fans keep saying "Oh Ranger couldn't be relationship material" and this book gave in to those fans that have been waiting for that. Why? I love books with a mysterious hero who you don't know too much about but ends up being a good guy (which so far Ranger has been, he cares for Stephanie). Consistently through this Volume Ranger is there watching out for her making sure she's got security, has bullets in her gun, he may tease her but doesn't treat her like she's stupid and when she calls he is there without fail what's not to like? If he is a bad why is he the "Primo" Bounty hunter and as mentioned through out the series the guy the cops want to be carrying a gun? Ranger doesn't seem to be a thug and Hard Eight gave him a Hard Ride, now, he's not mysterious, but an "Opportunist" doesn't sound like the Ranger we've come to know and adore. So he's got a never ending supply of expensive cars, he also owns office buildings, so he must have money or be making money if it's dirty show it to me!
Abruzzi (the bad guy of the book) was scary and had me jumpy, but in only a few pages it was over. And why aren't the cops doing anything about this guy? Stephanie is the star of the series, but it looks like the bounty hunters (Stephanie/Ranger/Vinnie) take down more criminals than Joe (vice cop/homicide detective). I do love Vinnie and was glad to see him back in this book. This guy cracks me up. The book seemed to heavily edited or something. I love that Janet usually has the book full of Stephanie's thoughts about everything that happens to her and in this book two rather major events went wham bam thank you ma'am fast without satisfying me. I'll read the book over and over because I love the series but it's not my favorite. The humor of the book held me though, so it is worth a try, but if you wonder like I did what happened in the ending you aren't alone... The audio version is decent, but I was thrilled to discover that this time around CJ Critt was back with a version through Recorded Books. After listening to her rendition of the book I was forced to raise my rating of 3 stars to 4 simply because there are things she brought to the story. Unlike some I'll keep reading Janet as long as she keeps me laughing. My complaint quit switching narrators on the audio versions Recorded Books is the company for quality and CJ is the narrator who brings Stephanie's story to audio life!
Rating:
Summary: Love Stephanie, Need new reader
Review: I thoroughly enjoy the time spent with Stephanie, Joe, Ranger, Grandma Mazur and the others, but have been very disappointed with the audio tapes. I truly enjoyed the first two people who read the books for tape but the last 2 books have been far less enjoyable because the woman, while competent, does not convey the "Jersey" accent or attitude we have come to expect and enjoy. Please for the next book make the reader as enjoyable as the text and it will be another winner.
Rating: 
Summary: stephanie staying the same, but still fun!
Review: Having been recommended the "Stephanie Plum books" (as they were called) by a good friend, I decided to start with "one for the money" and continue through the series. Having devoured all Janet's books (I'm waiting for To the Nines to arrive in my mailbox), I must say that although Stephanie is getting a bit predictable (especially with her trouble in keeping a car from blowing up), I still very much enjoy her boldness and adventurous spirit. Janet Evanoch books are great if you are having a down day and need a pick me up when chocolate just isn't enough. I will continue to read the series, even if it declines, just for the sheer magic that enthralled me in the first place. Stephanie is someone all women wanted to be at some point in our lives... tough talking, wise cracking, and surrounded by wonderful (not to mention - handsome) men.
Rating:
Summary: stephanie never seems to learn from her mistakes
Review: I've read all eight Stephanie Plum novels (in order), so clearly I got hooked early on. They are funny, clever, quick reading. Janet Evanovich has a gift for writing quirky (if annoying) characters and laugh-out-loud dialogue. However, Stephanie makes the same lame mistakes from one book to another, and usually within the same book. It is frustrating to see ineptitude over and over again, and I began to wonder what the men in her life see in her. Someone once said that what a man really wants in a woman is competence, which Stephanie seems stubbornly determined not to acquire. I may have spoiled the fun for myself somewhat by reading Joshua Armstrong's excellent "The Seekers," about his true exploits as a tough yet compassionate bounty hunter in New Jersey. Nah--I'm just tired of seeing the same old dumb behavior, with no learning curve in sight. It's been fun, but I want Stephanie to gracefully retire.
Rating:
Summary: The first half stunk but the second half was OK.
Review: I've read two of these Stephanie Plum books and I personally find her constant slap stick bungling irritating. That's why I stopped reading them. When I picked Hard Eight up at the library I thought it was that other female PI from Chicago. Oops.
Rating:
Summary: Hard Eight, well worth the wait
Review: While it took me about 4 cd's before I got used to this newest reader, the storyline itself overcame any reluctance I had to continue listening to this eighth entry into the wonderful world of the Plum mysteries. Stephanie is at her best, bumbling, fumbling and drooling, first over Ranger and then over Morelli. I like the interaction between Stephanie and the men in her life, both of them bring so much into this story that I'd feel lost without either of them. And Vinnie's character has a chance to develop in this story, as well as sister Valarie. As usual Stephanie meets some new zany friends and some new bad bad bad guys. And they are bad guys. The book got a little dark here, but I expected that sooner or later Stephanie would meet up with crooks who weren't bumbling fools. And Mrs. Plum actually has her moments in this latest offering from the wonderful Ms. Evanovich. This book is an absolute must read for Plum addicts, and if you thought you had heard everything in the Morelli/Ranger situation, hold onto your hats!! I can't say I would recommend this reader for future audio books, although I did finally get used to her and the accents she used, but give me Lori Petty or Debbie Mazar any day!!! And give me a new Plum mystery soon!!!
Rating:
Summary: The Stephanie Plum Books Just Keep Getting Better
Review: Prepare to be addicted. Janet Evanovich has created one of the best series of books I've ever read. From One For The Money right through to Hard Eight, you won't find a better combination of humor and suspense. Not to mention some men that make you want to climb into the pages and be Stephanie Plum herself. Hard Eight is the best so far. It gives you everything you want. Hillarious bouts with the classic characters of Grandma Mazur, Lula and the rest of the Plum family plus unexpected new twists that break away from the rut of the romantic plot line. If Hard Eight is your first Plum novel, you have to go back to the beginning and read the rest. Whatever you do, don't be tricked into buying the other Evanovich books. "Full House" and the others fall far short of the Plum books. Save yourself the disappointment. And don't buy Visions of Sugar Plums while trying to tide yourself over to the release of the ninth book. That turkey is on the marked down list for a reason!
Rating: 
Summary: An average Stephanie Plum is better than no Stephanie Plum!
Review: I received Hard Eight, the unabridged audiobook version, as a present and approached it with a small amount of wariness because the last Janet Evanovich book I read on audio (that would be Seven Up) was ruined by the terrible over the top, cartoon-like rendering of the characters by narrator Tonya Elby. Hard Eight is read by a woman named Lorelei who takes an extremely different approach to Stephanie. Her approach, unfortunately, also does not work for me. Am I too picky, or what? Stephanie's voice as read in this version is way too cultured, way too slow and it doesn't sound at all like the Stephanie Plum we all know and love. Here she sounds more like an out of place blue blooded socialite than a plucky Trenton, New Jersey girl. Stephanie's words are too often over-enunciated and the Jersey accent is lost altogether. And Ranger?! Ugh, he almost sounds like Fez from "That 70's Show". Is there no happy medium here folks? I must say, though, that the other characters do come to life and the reader did a great job differentiating the characters from each other (unlike the actress who voiced Seven Up). When a child speaks she sounds like a child. When a criminal speaks he sounds like a criminal. Not necessarily a criminal from New Jersey but I guess you just can't have it all. Now about the story: This time around Stephanie is on the search for a missing woman named Evelyn Soder and her young daughter Annie. Evelyn's grandmother Mabel is a neighbor of the Plum family (this is how Stephanie gets wrapped up in the case). Evelyn's ex-husband plans to cash in a "child custody bond" funded by Mabel. Mabel fears she'll lose her home if Evelyn isn't found and she fears for her great-granddaughter because Evelyn isn't exactly a "stable" personality. So, Stephanie, our fearless, bumbling bounty hunter and her friend Lula start sniffing around and before long they have a run in with Evelyn's landlord, an evil man named Eddie Abruzzi. Abruzzi, who gives even street toughened Lula the creeps, is a nasty criminal who adds a much needed dark edge to this predictably frothy series. Rounding out the cast of characters are the usual members that inhabit Stephanie's wild life. Grandma Mazer is her normally wacky self, Stephanie's not-quite-so-perfect-anymore sister Valerie is still trying to find herself and newcomer Albert Kloughn (pronounced Clown, of course) joins the cast. He's a goofy lawyer who badly wants to be Stephanie's assistant and begins to follow her around like a lost puppy dog. Accident prone yet immensely lovable, Kloughn provides a few of the (far too few) comical moments in the story. The usual run-ins with Ranger and Joe are here but I have to admit this love triangle stuff is getting awfully stale. Stephanie's still torn between the two sexy men and flip-flops between them. I wish they'd just hash it out and put an end to this tired "who will she pick?" drama. Enough already! This story was my least favorite of the Plum books. It's not bad by any means and still entertains with its fast pace and moments of wit and I enjoyed the dark edge but the laugh out moments are too few and far between and everything has become too predictable. Stephanie is stuck in a rut and hasn't grown a bit since Book One. She keeps repeating the same mistakes that were funny, oh say three books ago? She forgets her gun, she bumbles her FTA's, she has intense sexual tension with Ranger and Joe, her cars are blown up at an alarming rate, and she eats horrifically bad food but still manages to squeeze into her jeans. It's all too familiar at this point but, yeah, I'll still buy the next book because even mediocre Stephanie Plum is better than no Stephanie Plum. ~ Laurie Shallah
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