A witty and hilarious look at how to go from being a lingerie buyer to a bounty hunter. The Bordeaux Side
Title: One For The Money
Author: Janet Evanovich
Publication Date: 07/31/2018
Publisher: Pocket Books
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 320
ISBN-13: 9781982108526
US SRP: $8.99
Additional Format(s):
Hardcover ($27.99)
Audio CD Abridged ($14.99)
Digital Format(s):
Nook Book -eBook ($9.99)
Summary:
Stephanie Plum has been laid off from her job as a buyer for a lingerie company that she describes as not nearly as nice as Victoria’s Secret. Her company had ties to the mob and the CEO was indicted for illegal business practices. Subsequently, the company was sold, Stephanie, in turn, was laid off, and she has not been able to find another buyer’s position. To try and make ends meet she has sold most of her furniture and appliances. She has also done temporary work through various agencies. Her parents suggest that she go see her cousin, Vinnie because they heard he needed someone to do filing at his bail bonding company. When she went to inquire about the filing position, she learned that it had been filled. The secretary, Connie, tells her that the office is in need of an apprehension agent, aka bounty hunter. The pay is also much better than what she would have been paid as a file clerk. Vinnie doesn’t want to give her the position because she has no experience nor does she even own a gun. Stephanie tells Vinnie if he doesn’t give her the case she will tell his wife about his extracurricular kinky activities. Vinnie gives in and tells her she has one week to bring in Joe Morrelli. Stephanie lost her virginity to him when she was sixteen and he embarrassed her by writing details of their encounter on a bathroom wall at a sub shop. She later ran him over with a Buick and broke his leg to get even.
Joe is now a vice cop that has been charged with murder and he is currently on the run. Stephanie needs to find someone to help her learn the business. Connie suggests that she contact Ranger for some training. Ranger helps her out and shows her some of the tricks of the trade. In the process of trying to apprehend Morrelli, she has a rough encounter with boxing champ Benito Ramirez. He soon starts threatening and stalking Stephanie. In the process, he almost kills Lula, a prostitute, that gives Stephanie information. Ramirez leaves the battered Lula on the fire escape right outside Stephanie’s apartment window. Since Stephanie is having a difficult time bringing Morelli in and Morelli needs some help in proving his innocence, they decide to work together to solve the murder. Once this is done Morelli promises to let Stephanie take him in and she will get to keep the $10,000 bounty.
My Review:
Evanovich has succeeded in writing a mystery where the plot is engaging, thrilling, and humorous at the same time. This was a very enjoyable and fast read. The characters are well developed and the conversational writing style easily draws the reader into the story. The descriptions of the various characters and the area allow the readers to readily picture exactly what is happening at any point in the novel. The descriptions allowed the characters to come to life. This is especially true with Stephanie’s family and neighbors. The descriptions of the actions by Ramirez did elicit fear for the characters he was stalking, harassing, and brutalizing. I believe the intended audience would be anyone that wants a mystery that is a quick read that doesn’t contain graphic violence and enjoys characters with a dose of spunk.
Ratings:
Quality: 🍷🍷🍷 Refreshing
This is a light, easy read that I could easily see reading it over and over again. When I reached the end I could see how this would be a great series. It is written in such a way that you have to know what will happen next with the characters.
Popularity: 🍹🍹🍹🍹🍹 Ladies night in aka date with a book.
This book is so entertaining that I can see people wanting to stay in and read it in one evening. The characters and plot are well developed and people will be interested in seeing what happens.
Significance of the book:
The character development and the dialogue between the various characters are what make this novel outstanding. The use of humor and sass, with someone learning to be a bounty hunter, is very fun and entertaining. One can easily visualize the situations Stephanie Plum gets herself in.
Author's website, interview and and review:
Appeal Factors: Rookie on the Beat, Sassy, Funny, Upbeat, Banter-filled, Conversational
Read-alike Titles:
Size 12 is Not Fat by Meg Cabot - Funny, Upbeat
Swift Justice by Laura A. H. DiSilverio - Funny, Upbeat
Agnes and the Hitman by Jennifer Crusie - Funny, Upbeat, Banter-filled, Conversational
Awards:
Booktalking ideas:
Stephanie Plum is not what people normally think of as a bounty hunter. For a book talk with a small group or a patron I would read a portion of a conversation she has with Ranger. She has to let him know exactly why she needs to learn how to be a bounty hunter. This is from page 32,
“ ‘Let me make my position clear to you,’ I said, leaning forward, ‘I’m out of work. I’ve had my car repossessed, my refrigerator is empty, I’m going to get kicked out of my apartment, and my feet don’t fit in these shoes. I haven’t got a lot of energy to waste socializing. Are you going to help me or what?’ ”
Manoso grinned. “This is gonna be fun. This here’s gonna be like Professor Higgins and Eliza Doolittle Does Trenton.”
Book discussion questions:
How did Stephanie’s background influence the decisions she makes?
Were Jimmy Alpha’s reasons for diversifying into illegal enterprises surprising?
How does growing up in the Burg help Stephanie navigate the process of apprehending people?
What role does family play in Stephanie’s life?
Why I Chose This Book:
I chose to read this book because a couple of coworkers were reading the series and they highly recommended it. They knew that I enjoyed mysteries and they were telling me I would enjoy the main character because she is kind of quirky.
“Clues for the Future”: Bounty Hunter; Trenton, NJ; Family; Sassy; Fun
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