Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich

Dang if Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum novels aren't great fun to read.  Admittedly they aren't high art, and there really is a lot of silliness that goes on, but after finishing my second book, Two for the Dough (how many are there now?  Eighteen?), I am finding them to be laugh out loud funny and an excellent stress reliever.  Even before I finished the second book I had the third one on order and it is now safely sitting on my reading pile just waiting for the right moment (which may well come sooner than I expect).  If I didn't already have some luscious new books waiting for me to start the new year with, I would immediately pick up Stephanie's next adventure.  Best to save it for an afternoon when it is gloomy outside or life seems particularly trying.

You may know that the first book, One for the Money was adapted to film and will be out later this month, and now I can't wait to see it.  Although I am not a Stephanie Plum aficionado (with only two books under my belt I have lots more to go), I was sort of disappointed by the actors who were cast in the roles of Stephanie and her nemesis/love interest Joe Morelli, but now that I've had a chance to consider them in those parts, I can't picture anyone else.  Stephanie is a former lingerie-buyer turned recovery agent (aka bounty hunter) living in Trenton, New Jersey, or as she affectionately calls it, The Burg.  She's kind of a haphazard gal.  Much to her mother's chagrin she wears jeans, flannel shirts and Doc Martens (her work clothes), caves in often to a sweet (and sometimes salty, too) tooth, and finds herself in the most awkward or unaccountable situations.  She must get it from her Grandma Mazur who's only too ready to get mixed up in Stephanie's escapades, and has been known to accidentally shoot roast chickens (you had to be there...).

This time out Stephanie is trying to bring in Kenny Mancuso who has skipped out on bail and failed to show at his hearing on a murder charge.  Kenny happens to be distantly related to vice cop Joe Morelli who has his own reasons for bringing Kenny in.  Stephanie and Joe decide to share information; well, as much as Stephanie can trust Morelli to share (which isn't all that much to be honest).  The two have a love hate relationship that goes back to elementary school, and while Morelli may smolder away with his bedroom eyes, Stephanie knows it's better to be wary of him.  Since she is always short of cash, she takes on a side job locating missing caskets from a local funeral parlor only to dig herself in deeper as she stumbles upon illegal activities that someone would prefer to be kept well hidden.  Are the two cases related?

It's all great fun.  These stories are totally light-weight, easy reads.  Of course the more Morelli and Stephanie clash the more the sparks ignite usually ending in humorous situations that elicit a good laugh or two.  I've decided the books are like bonbons--a tasty treat as long as you don't mind a few empty calories.  I probably wouldn't eat a whole box full in one sitting, but there's nothing wrong with indulging in a few now and again.

Comments

[Penny]

This sounds like so much fun! Sometimes we need a bit of fluff and laughter, don't we? I'll be on the lookout for One for the Money, then this one, I'm sure, Danielle. You're right - it is good to indulge once in awhile.

[Danielle]

Penny--I enjoyed both books. They are indeed very fluffy, but as long as you know going into it knowing so, I don't think you'd be disappointed. I read the first just a little over a year ago, but I probably won't quite so long to read the next.

[Kailana]

I read the first book and then investigated the length of the series... It is a bit overwhelming so I haven't read on yet...

[Danielle]

Kailana--I'm not sure I'll try and read them all, but I do think I'll keep the next couple on hand as they are such fun, light reads. I love a good laugh out loud book and I don't seem to come across them as often as I'd like. But, yes, so many book really can be overwhelming!

[Caroline]

I have only read one so far and confirm all of the above. Silly but fun. I was very partial to Grandma Mazur.
I got the second one lined up too, I'm sure I'll need it one of these days. Some of the qualities you entioned above are why I am drawn to some paranormal crime series. I saw the trailer and thought I'd enjoy watching it.

[Jennifer Dee]

I have just finished number 17 and still laugh out loud; can't wait for the next one which I've ordered through my local library.

[litlove]

Perfect January reading by the sounds of it! I picked up a cheap copy of the first in the series and haven't felt moved to read it yet. I know that once I get into it, I'm sure I'll love it. Is there a nicer pleasure than having a reliably fun series that you're only a few books into? I love that feeling.

[Liz F]

Having seen the trailer, I think the film looks great fun and have no complaints about the casting as I like Katherine Heigl and Debbie Reynolds as Grandma Mazur is inspired!
I must admit I always thought of Morelli as being more drop-dead-gorgeous than the actor playing him but I was beginning to see why by the end of the clip and I have NO complaints about Ranger!

[Stefanie]

My mom loves her books and buys them almost as soon as they are published. I've not tried them myself but I suspect they have a bit of an addictive thing going on.

[Kathy Johnson]

I've read a couple of these, and Stephanie is a delight. What would life be like without bonbons?

By the way, I am almost 100 pages into North and South and I am loving it! Why have I not read Elizabeth Gaskell before?!

[Danielle]

Caroline--Isn't Grandma Mazur a laugh? I had never thought I would like these books but I really have enjoyed both of them--not sure I could read too many together at once but an occasional one now and again is kind of nice--fluffy sort of story and I can even read the books in just one or two sittings--usually I am a very slow reader. It's always good to have escapist reading like this on hand!

Jennifer Dee--I will probably keep buying a new paperback to have on hand as I read each one. I'm quite curious to know how or whether Stephanie and Morelli get together! Her books always seem to do very well--and I hope the film does well, too.

Litlove--Yes-just what I needed over the break. I had a cold for several of the days of my vacation and this was about all I could concentrate on. I bet cheap copies are easy to come by and I will have to keep them in mind next time I stop by my favorite used bookstore. It is nice to know you have a good, reliable author on hand (and more to look for) when you are in need of something not too taxing but very entertaining.

Liz--I had thought of Morelli as dark and yes, more handsome than the actor they cast (not that he isn't good looking--just different than I had pictured), but now that I have seen the trailer a couple of times and read the next book, I totally had them all in mind as I was reading and think they fit the characters nicely. Ranger is great--and the actor is spot on, I agree.

Stefanie--I can see why your mom looks for them as they come out. They could easily become addictive, though I think if I read them too close together I might get burned out quickly. Now spread them out a bit and they would be fun to look forward to. I plan on keeping at least one/the next in the series on hand for emergencies! :)

Kathy--She is fun--a little wacky, but very likable. Yes, a varied diet is a good thing and bonbons are nice treats to look forward to. Yay--so glad to hear you are enjoying Elizabeth Gaskell. I didn't read her until just a year or so ago, too. If you like this, you might add Wives and Daughters to your reading list to tackle at some point--it's much longer but also very good! It was her last book, which she didn't quite finish before she died.