Finger Lickin’ Fifteen (Stephanie Plum Novels)

SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday, June 23, 2009

EVENT: The next Stephanie Plum novel, in which complications arise, loyalties are tested, cliffhangers are resolved, and donuts are eaten.

WHERE: Wherever books are sold across America

WHAT TO BRING: Sunglasses, insect repellant, a flotation device, suntan lotion, cheez-doodles, extra-large towel, fire extinguisher, baseball bat, lip balm, monkey leash, sixty three pieces of chewing gum, and one canister of oxygen (don’t ask). Hey, it’s a Stephanie Plum novel!

Finger Lickin’ Fifteen Review

I don’t think that anyone really picks up a Janet Evanovich book for a serious read. I buy her books because I don’t want to think much. I want to relax, and laugh, and enjoy meandering through another chapter of Stephanie Plum’s unrealistic life. The novels are not believable, nor likely, however, I have laughed and enjoyed myself.

The novel begins with Lula’s encounter with two of the world’s dumbest and most inept killers. Amazing that they were able to slay a celebrity with no one other than Lula witnessing it, but I guess the paparazzi were taking a day off. Then, they seem to develop a keen ability to track Lula down, but cannot seem to manage to kill her.

Stephanie Plum, meanwhile, is still stuck between Morelli and Ranger. She’s shacking up with Ranger, yet seemingly hung up on Morelli, even though they’re still broken up. Joyce, the Burg’s version of superwoman with an attitude, is back on scene, too, so it seems Morelli’s in the same situation as SP. The likelihood of many of the events that take place in this novel are pretty much zilch. (For example, when Lula enters a national cooking contest at the last minute because she used to do one of the head honchos, during a practice session she knocks over the barbecue and sets a tree on fire, meanwhile a random pack of dogs just happens to be racing through Stephanie’s parents’ backyard and they scoop up the intended chicken dinner, so Stephanie and Morelli decide to go to dinner together at Pino’s.) Yeah, more of that. And how many cars does SP go through in this book? Several. Most of them not hers, but Ranger’s. However, Ranger, who never seems to tire of chasing SP’s tail, just brushes it off and more Porsches magically appear. It’s just so unlikely. (Insert sigh here.)

With all that being said, though, I did enjoy this book. It was funny and I did laugh out loud several times. Every author needs a Lula or a Grandma Mazur to be able to say whatever crazy thought they might happen to have. Although, Lula’s burping and farting do cross the line into just plain disgusting. I’ll be leaving this novel with a different view of Lula, and it’s not the fun, silly, in-your-face image that I have of her. That part is a shame. I used to like her.

It’s definitely a better book than the last few. I’ll probably continue to purchase her next novels, but I am finding that I, too, really want SP to make a decision and pick a man and a path in life. The series has to be nearing the end. (Can’t beat a dead horse forever.) Come on, though, can you just imagine the comedy a Stephanie Plum wedding would be? I wonder who the guests would be…

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