*Mini spoiler ahead*

This was probably the first Stephanie Plum book that made me cry. It's not hard to make me cry, but this series has always been the one that I believed would never make me cry.

Guess I was wrong about that.

But then again, twelve books result in a DEEP connection with the characters (especially when they're so amazing) and seeing one of them get shot four times is a definite tear jerker.

But that doesn't mean there weren't funny bits. It just means that I'm so in love with these characters that the idea of losing them made me cry. :P

One of the more serious books in the series but also one of the most repetitive. I'm also getting a little tired of the I love two men and can't choose bullshit, Pick one or none but don't play both.

Lots of strong action in this installment in the Stephanie Plum series, but short on laughs. I don't really like Evanovich's continued chipping away at the Ranger mystique: I preferred the early days when he would swing in, save Stephanie from a sticky situation, make a joke and a steamy comment, and leave -- the days when Lula would watch CNN to see what Central American country had a coup whenever Ranger left town.

Okay. this is book 12 in the Stephanie Plum series, so I'll dispatch the typical build-up that goes with a review. But suffice it to say that the worlds worst bounty hunter and her crew are up to their tricks. As usual, it's funny as hell. Grandma Mazer and Lula and Stephanie often have me in stitches. And as usual, Stephanie finds herself in waaaaaaaaaaay over her head.

This book, though, is notable because you finally learn something about Ranger's backstory. And instead of hokie and mysterious, which I'd expected given Ranger's character, it's believable, touching and human...

And I STILL cannot get over how much I love these books. Since I'm probably 180 degrees from Evanovich's original intended audience. But they;re the funniest books I;ve read since I hit the end of Discworld... and you always need a good laugh.

Four-stars.

Classic Steph!!!

I really enjoy Stephanie Plum. The characters are great and the humor is spot on! It's a fun break from the more "serious" murder mysteries I read.

This book was exciting because we got to learn a little bit more about Ranger. It all begins when some woman starts talking Stephanie, swearing that she's Ranger's wife and he stole all her money. Stephanie knows this to be a bunch of malarky but then Ranger's daughter goes missing and Ranger is the number one suspect. It all has to be connected and Stephanie is on the case!

Turns out that Ranger has his own stalker wannabe and this guys is determined to take over Ranger's life. He's going after everything Ranger loves.

I think my favorite part was when Stephanie was actually with the stalker, because it was pretty funny. The only part I didn't buy was Ranger taking so long to get this guy, that didn't fly with what we've seen of Ranger in the past, but it was still fun.

Great series! Glad I've got so many more to go. Lula is still my favorite character with Sally Sweets coming in second.

An easy summer read! The perfect way to start summer.

This did not disappoint. The tension between Stephanie, Joe, and Ranger is better than ever.

I refuse to apologize for loving these books :-) Still fun, popcorn entertainment

A crazy woman is looking for Stephanie Plum, Ms. Bounty Hunter and every auto insurance company's nightmare. When they come face to face, the woman pulls a gun on Steph and tells her she is looking for her husband Ranger. He, unfortunately, cannot be reached, since he is on some special case in Miami. And the next time Stephanie sees him, he's on the news. He's wanted for kidnapping. And murder.

Another entertaining Plum novel. Same colorful characters, with an addition or two. Lula recruits Grandma Mazur for the band she just joined; Connie is interviewing bounty hunters from hell; Tank feels the love; and a pervy Pickle joins the company. Oh, and there's a very close call in the Plum bedroom!

Was I not reading the same book as everyone else? I can't believe how many 5-star ratings this book got! All the characters are totally unlikable, especially Stephanie. She has a boyfriend who she seems to be feeling somewhat serious about in this book. But then she lets a male friend live with her. Fine. But then she lets him share her bed and stick his tongue down her throat whenever he feels like it. Immoral Skank. And the friend's name is Ranger. Give me a f*#&ing break. Only an unlikable douchbag goes by the nickname, "Ranger?" And only an unholy skank would find that "hot." Total cliche for a bounty hunter. And this chick is a bounty hunter too who's partner is described as someone similar to Mo'Nique; not really striking me as the type of person who would be physically capable of chasing down criminals. The whole plot is just boring and cliche. I got about halfway through, thinking that is MUST get better. It didn't. How has this series lasted 12 books???????

Again, I have only chosen one of the Janet Evanovich/Stephanie Plum mysteries to put here so as not to clog the shelf with all of her stuff. If you want to read some funny shit with fantastic characters and totally outrageous scenarios that only get crazier, check out Janet Evanovich. Her main character, Stephanie Plum, is an incompetent bounty hunter who is constantly being stalked, getting all kinds of nasty things in her hair, and having her car blown up. She is caught between two men: the ever-sexy Ranger, professional bounty hunter and total badass, and Joe Morelli, also unbelievably sexy, a cop, and more interested in a long-term relationship. The mysteries are hilarious. My favorite character has got to be Grandma Mazur. Check out the audiobooks narrated by C.J. Critt- she does a great job with the voices.