Notorious Nineteen (Stephanie Plum #19) by Janet Evanovich-a review

Before we get to the review, The Reading Cafe would like to welcome a new reviewer to our family-Georgianna. Barb and I met Georgianna through one of our favorite author’s website. We hope you enjoy Georgianna’s reviews.

Notorius Nineteen is the nineteenth storyline and November 20, 2012 release in Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series. Stephanie Plum is a Jersey girl working for her uncle in the bond enforcement field (due to lack of other jobs). She’s been doing this for 19 books now and seems to be getting better at her job of catching those who do not show up for their court appearances or FTA’s (Failure to Appear).

She and Lula (an ex “ho”, currently a “file clerk” for Stephanie’s uncle Vinnie) who accompanies her on most of her adventures, get into some really hilarious predicaments trying to apprehend FTA’s. This sometimes includes things like: letting an alligator loose on the neighborhood, getting her car firebombed, going naked on a nude beach with just handcuffs, etc. The fun is really interesting and can have you rolling on the floor.

Stephanie has an on-again/off-again relationship with two men, Joe Morelli (a cop) and Ranger (an ex Ranger/now security business owner). Joe is an old high school flame that talked her out of her virginity when she was 16 or 17. Ranger was and is her mentor in the bond enforcement field and is incredibly sexy and more than a little dangerous. For 18 books she’s had an issue with commitment to either of the men. Joe has some commitment issues as well, as does Ranger who honestly says marriage is not in his plan but anything short of that is wonderful.

After finishing this book I have a bit of mixed feelings. I love the FTA chasing and all the funny complications she and Lula get into. Some of the side FTA stories are interesting even brilliant, but how much longer can this keep going on? She has the usual fire bombed cars and blown-up apartment issues. God, why can’t I find a man like Ranger who’ll give me a new car when I crash a fender!

I liked her being Ranger’s “bodyguard” in this one…I keep having hopes that she’ll get more into Ranger’s life and perhaps work for Rangeman (Ranger’s security firm) and grow her relationship with him. When she’s going down the aisle as a bridesmaid and meets Ranger’s gaze, I thought it might get a little farther along…it seemed to me he hasn’t been so totally against marriage as he was…is this something to hope for? The big drama in this one was one of Ranger’s past team members that was really crazy and the drama was very intense. But then she keeps going back to Morelli and we’re back to square one!

I also thought for a while that Morelli seemed less interested, certainly more accepting of her working with Ranger. He just didn’t seem to care much, none of his usual hotheaded rants and raves about it. Then he says her loves her! At one point she was even wondering if she could quit her job…she just doesn’t seem to be the stay-at-home mom type and was okay with that, but knew Morelli wanted a wife and kids type life – so was she reconsidering him as a future? I’m so confused! Even worse is, I’m losing interest. After 19 books of this same scenario I’m looking for progress!

The book is of course well written, as they all are! I do love the series and the people in it. I’m just not rushing to get the next one for more of the same. It’s still fun when you get into it, but a bit of a letdown when nothing much changes.

Reviewed by Georgianna S.