Book Review: Smokin’ Seventeen

by Janet Evanovich

Stephanie strikes again. While the bonds office is being rebuilt, the gang is working out of Mooner's RV, but the building schedule runs into a few hitches when bodies start appearing in the lot. Meanwhile, on the home front, Stephanie is being pressed to make a decision between Morelli, Ranger, and a new man her mother is trying to set her up with. If life wasn't hard enough, she's even being stalked by Morelli's Grandma Bella.

After 17 books, you can expect the plot to get a little formulaic. It happens. Stephanie and Lula get in over their heads, some maniac is after Steph, she rolls around some with Ranger and Morelli, and destroys a car or two. Even with that, this is still an entertaining, feel-good read. I easily finished it in one evening and laughed myself silly a few times. I did agree with Hal though; she's done better at destroying a car.

Ranger fans will like the fact that she spends more time with him in this book. I'm, admittedly, a Ranger girl myself and greatly enjoyed those scenes. I'm considering the appropriate place for the Ranger sticker that came with the book (there's a Morelli sticker as well). Of course, I also don't see why she should have to choose. Her life works for her, well, other than the constant peril.

Although the series has gotten a little routine, I'm still looking forward to 18 (which I think comes out at the end of the year). (2020 note: book 25 came out this year and the series is still fun.)

BIS Rating: 4 of 5 nightlights

BIS Rating system:
1 nightlight = put it down and didn't care to pick it back up
2 nightlights = finished the book
3 nightlights = enjoyed the book but probably wouldn't re-read it
4 nightlights = had a hard time putting the book down
5 nightlights = stayed up way too late to finish instead of going to bed

Buy Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich at Bookshop.org.

(originally published 27 June 2011)