Four to Score by Janet Evanovich
Review by Daisy
If you're at all like me you will have by your bed/bath/reading spot a pile of books that are in the process of being read or just finished - but lurking at the foot of that pile you will have a favourite book, the one you come back to when all the others are finished, the one that is falling apart at the spine and perhaps has a few binding strips of sellotape. This is one of those books.
These novels are based around the central character of Stephanie Plum, a very reluctant bounty hunter who always stumbles across more than she bargained for in the line of duty. She is joined by her Italian-Polish family, her occasional boyfriend Joe Morelli, her mentor Ranger, who always turns up at the right moment, and her friend Lula.
In this tale of bounty hunting in New Jersey, Stephanie is given an easy bail-breaker to find - only being her, this does not go to plan... Maxine is definitely missing but her ex-boyfriend is receiving coded clues for a vengeful treasure hunt! Stephanie calls in her elderly neighbour's nephew to help in breaking these codes. This turns out to be Sally Sweet, the six-foot plus lead singer in a band of drag queens - but he doesn't like to shave his legs and doesn't know the first thing about make up. He decides he wants to be part of Stephanie's ragtag 'team' no matter what anyone says.
The story moves from New Jersey to Point Pleasant and back again calling in for a memorable visit to Atlantic City. The action is fast-paced and beautifully written as I have come to expect from this wonderful author. Not your run of the mill American crime fiction rather a rare gem to be brought into the light and enjoy its sparkle as often as possible.
There is a whole series of these books - from 'One for the money' onwards - if you get the chance, give these a go, who knows, maybe they'll end up at the bottom of your bookpile, too...
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Score-Stephanie-Plum-Novels/dp/0312966970
If you're at all like me you will have by your bed/bath/reading spot a pile of books that are in the process of being read or just finished - but lurking at the foot of that pile you will have a favourite book, the one you come back to when all the others are finished, the one that is falling apart at the spine and perhaps has a few binding strips of sellotape. This is one of those books.
These novels are based around the central character of Stephanie Plum, a very reluctant bounty hunter who always stumbles across more than she bargained for in the line of duty. She is joined by her Italian-Polish family, her occasional boyfriend Joe Morelli, her mentor Ranger, who always turns up at the right moment, and her friend Lula.
In this tale of bounty hunting in New Jersey, Stephanie is given an easy bail-breaker to find - only being her, this does not go to plan... Maxine is definitely missing but her ex-boyfriend is receiving coded clues for a vengeful treasure hunt! Stephanie calls in her elderly neighbour's nephew to help in breaking these codes. This turns out to be Sally Sweet, the six-foot plus lead singer in a band of drag queens - but he doesn't like to shave his legs and doesn't know the first thing about make up. He decides he wants to be part of Stephanie's ragtag 'team' no matter what anyone says.
The story moves from New Jersey to Point Pleasant and back again calling in for a memorable visit to Atlantic City. The action is fast-paced and beautifully written as I have come to expect from this wonderful author. Not your run of the mill American crime fiction rather a rare gem to be brought into the light and enjoy its sparkle as often as possible.
There is a whole series of these books - from 'One for the money' onwards - if you get the chance, give these a go, who knows, maybe they'll end up at the bottom of your bookpile, too...
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Score-Stephanie-Plum-Novels/dp/0312966970