Title: Smokin’ Seventeen {Stephanie Plum #17}
Author: Janet Evanovich
Published: Headline Australia June 2011 {Courtesy Robert W}
Synopsis: Where there’s smoke there’s fire, and no one knows this better than New Jersey bounty hunter, Stephanie Plum. The bail bonds office has burned to the ground, and bodies are turning up in the empty construction lot. To make matters worse, Stephanie is working out of a motor home she shares with a dancing bear, and Joe Morelli’s old world grandmother has declared a vendetta against her. And just when Stephanie decides it might be time to choose between the two men in her life, Morelli and Ranger, a third man from Stephanie’s past moves back to Trenton…Break out a cold drink and slap on some sunscreen, this summer is sure to be a scorcher with Smokin’ Seventeen.
Status: Read on June 25, 2011 — I own a copy
My Thoughts:
It’s another round of mayhem with Stephanie Plum, I still giggle at Lula’s antics, enjoy Grandma Mazur’s funeral home visits and swoon over Ranger and for light relief the series is hard to beat. There are no real surprises in Smokin Seventeen, from the naked fugitive to the demise of yet another of Stephanie’s cars. I don’t mind that Steph still hasn’t made up her mind, I lurve Ranger and I know that ultimately it will be Morelli that wins the girl so I am happy for the line to continue to spin out and in this case I was squirming as Ranger ..oops better not give it away!
I do really want to see something change though, not just a new bonds office but something substantial. Stephanie is right when she considers that she is barely any better at her job when she started and she really should be and it needn’t take away from the comical aspects of her job.
The only thing that really concerned me is that it’s short (despite the large trade format with large type) and I am worried it may not bode well for Explosive Eighteen that is being released in November.
Smokin’ Seventeen is a fun, light read that is true to the series formula and sure to provide a laugh or two. If you are looking for more than that then you will likely be disappointed but take it for what it is and it’s a delightful way to spend an hour or two.
View the Stephanie Plum Series by clicking here
Book’d Out 
I think I stopped this series at about #8. I just found them too similar, although I must admit to adoring Grandma M.
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I thought this to and then book 12 came along and some things did change in the series but then went back into a rut and one became the other again. There was no progression of the main character but the antics stayed the same. I mean, come on, how many times can you blow up a car in a series before it isn’t funny any more.
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I think you described it so well. I really enjoyed it but mostly because I love the antics of the characters. I did complain in my review that I’m tired of the formula. I want to see some progress in Stephanie’s life. I want her to be able to tell the difference between the various numbers in the series. I don’t know how much more I can take. I can’t wait for the next one but I’m hoping something…anything happens to stand out.
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I think I would like to check out this series. I’m not a huge ‘crime fiction’ fan but I really enjoyed Marianne Delacourt’s first Tara Sharp novel, Sharp Shooter. Since that has been compared to the Stephanie Plum series, maybe I will like this too. What do you think?
Jayne
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“maybe I will like this too. What do you think?”
Absolutely Jayne – the humor in the Stephanie Plum series is a little more obvious with typical American brashness – I would say Tara Sharp is the Aussie comparison – just a little more laid back. I’d love to see what you think of it so let me know if you decide to read it – your library should have them 🙂
Shelleyrae
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I will definitely check them out then! Yes, i will have a look at my library or local secondhand bookshop… because 18 books is a lot (of money!) to add to my book collection if I decide I like them! Thanks for the suggestion Shelleyrae.
Jayne
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I too love this series but I would also like to see some change/growth in Stephanie. She is a smart woman with a college degree lets see her live up to her potential BEFORE the series ends please. She can still be funny, have cars blown up and miss a capture or two while still being intelligent.
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I love the series from the beginning and i continued to read it untill book nine when i was just not happy with the progress of the characters. then i gave it another chance when my friend read 12 and said it was good so i caught back up on the series and kept reading even though they were mostly putting me to sleep because at least one character did change and that was Ranger. Who has totally changed from just a hired gun to a legit business man. Also for all of you who thinks Stephanie should wind up with Morrelli need to reread the series. Morelli is her fall back guy he is the guy that is acceptable to her family and the familar from childhood. I think they love each other but they are not in love with each other! I think she is in love with ranger and she is just waiting for a sign that he will committ but if you look the signs are there and have always been there with him changing his way of life for her and letting her into his life with complete access to his home and his business and putting his own life on the line to save her, even before his daughter. Every woman wants a man that would not hesitate to kill for her if it means saving her life. Ranger is that man not Morrelli!
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Quite the impassioned argument there Nancy – I would choose Ranger personally LOL
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