Plum Spooky
by Janet Evanovich
Stephanie Plum Between-the-Numbers (4), Diesel (4), Stephanie Plum (14.5)
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Fiction. Mystery. Romance. Humor (Fiction.) HTML:Evanovich fans rejoice for Plum Spooky! Stephanie Plum is back in town, along with her sidekick Lula, her Grandma Mazur, and an ever-widening cast of freaks, criminals, deranged felons, and lunatics looking for love. And just when Stephanie thinks her life can't get any more complicated, in walks the mysterious Diesel. A man who seems to show up at the most inconvenient moments. This time, he's the instigator for Stephanie's new adventure, show more which involves camping in the Pine Barrens with Lula, and perhaps even a sighting of the Jersey Devil...so hang on for a Stephanie Plum novel that is sure to send chills up your spine—it gives new meaning to the words hilarious, and "spooky.". show lessTags
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Member Reviews
I wasn't sure how much I'd like this since I've only read the first of the Stephanie Plum books, but I didn't have any problems whatsoever getting into the story.
It was also much funnier than I was expecting. The characters are written perfectly, and they talk with and react to one another really well. Stephanie in particular is great, and her flat way of handling every insane situation that hits her makes everything that much better.
I also liked the fact that monkeys figured heavily in the plot. Specifically, monkeys that knew enough to flip people off when they were being insulted.
Having most everything take place in the woods of New Jersey was also unexpected and entertaining, mostly because of the large number of bizarre show more side-characters that populated it.
I definitely want to go back and read more in the series now. One of my favorite characters doesn't sound like he's around all that often though (the man who stayed with Stephanie and worked on the case with her), and I can only hope he appears again. show less
It was also much funnier than I was expecting. The characters are written perfectly, and they talk with and react to one another really well. Stephanie in particular is great, and her flat way of handling every insane situation that hits her makes everything that much better.
I also liked the fact that monkeys figured heavily in the plot. Specifically, monkeys that knew enough to flip people off when they were being insulted.
Having most everything take place in the woods of New Jersey was also unexpected and entertaining, mostly because of the large number of bizarre show more side-characters that populated it.
I definitely want to go back and read more in the series now. One of my favorite characters doesn't sound like he's around all that often though (the man who stayed with Stephanie and worked on the case with her), and I can only hope he appears again. show less
LOVE it! My first 5 of the year (and I don’t give many of those out. Only if it’s so good, I read it in less then 24 hours. (Note to self: don’t forget to put rating scale in the side margin)) What can I say? It was the first full length Between-the-Numbers book, and it almost lived up to the numbers books. This one was my favorite of the BTN, as it actually had Ranger and Joe. A lot. I really enjoyed many of the subplots in this one. And although Lula still drives me nuts, it is much less so with Tank. And there was Diesel. Now he is not Ranger or Morelli, but not bad in addition to them. Throw in a monkey, and good times ensue. Can’t go wrong with a monkey sidekick. I love the way Diesel teases Stephanie, you are never quite show more sure if he is serious or not. Maybe I’m an addict, but the worst thing I can say about these books, is there isn’t enough of them. And what can I say? Every girl should have a Ranger and a Joe (why choose?) in her life. =D show less
Plum Spooky
Stephanie Plum, Book 14.5
I Picked Up This Book Because: Continue the series
The Characters:
Stephanie Plum:
Joe Manelli:
Ranger:
Grandma Mazur, Lula, Connie, Tank,
The Story:
I was starting to get underwhelmed with these between the number books but this one turned that right around. I think being full length helped. Diesel was a much more interesting character and I didn’t miss Ranger as much.
The Random Thoughts:
When I started this series I should have started a body count for Stephanie’s cars. There were at least 3 destroyed in this book alone.
I think Tank talked more in this book than all 14 of the previous books put together.
#LibraryLoveChallenge
4 Stars
Stephanie Plum, Book 14.5
I Picked Up This Book Because: Continue the series
The Characters:
Stephanie Plum:
Joe Manelli:
Ranger:
Grandma Mazur, Lula, Connie, Tank,
The Story:
I was starting to get underwhelmed with these between the number books but this one turned that right around. I think being full length helped. Diesel was a much more interesting character and I didn’t miss Ranger as much.
The Random Thoughts:
When I started this series I should have started a body count for Stephanie’s cars. There were at least 3 destroyed in this book alone.
I think Tank talked more in this book than all 14 of the previous books put together.
#LibraryLoveChallenge
4 Stars
This is one of the "between-the-numbers" novels in Evanovich's series about incompetent bounty hunter Stephanie Plum -- part of the series, but distinct from the usual installments. This one is longer than most of them, and less obviously holiday-themed, although it is apparently set somewhere around Halloween. But it does feature the usual supernatural elements, including a mysterious character called Diesel, and it turns the wackiness typical of the series up to eleven. In fact, I'd say this one really dials up the wackiness, with a plot featuring mad science and monkeys. Lots of monkeys.
The (frequently monkey-based) humor here is dumb and often feels kind of forced, but when you're able to turn your brain off and just go with it, show more which I managed a reasonable amount of the time, it is kind of amusing. Which is generally about all I ask from these books.
I am growing more and more uncomfortable, though, with the way that people sexually harassing and/or sexually threatening Stephanie is played for laughs and, when it comes from the men she's working with, treated as no big deal and only to be expected, or even presented as if it's supposed to be sexy. I'm never happy about that, but right now it makes me feel particularly squirmy. show less
The (frequently monkey-based) humor here is dumb and often feels kind of forced, but when you're able to turn your brain off and just go with it, show more which I managed a reasonable amount of the time, it is kind of amusing. Which is generally about all I ask from these books.
I am growing more and more uncomfortable, though, with the way that people sexually harassing and/or sexually threatening Stephanie is played for laughs and, when it comes from the men she's working with, treated as no big deal and only to be expected, or even presented as if it's supposed to be sexy. I'm never happy about that, but right now it makes me feel particularly squirmy. show less
Somehow I missed this "Stephanie Plum Between the Numbers" book while reading the series. It was great to read (well, listen to since I had the audiobook version) what I consider vintage Evanovich. Some of the antics were humorous (Lula accidentally shooting a fuel canister and blowing up the entire depot; Carl's "eep" when Elmer accidentally ignites fuel stored in a mine). Carl the monkey is in most of the book, so is Diesel. Lula features in several scenes. Most of the other regulars are marginalized (Joe Morelli, Ranger, Grandma Mazur).
One of Stephanie's FTAs and the man Diesel is hunting are working together in a business deal, so Diesel pulls Stephanie into his task--though later he does help her catch her FTA. Their work takes show more them to "The Barrens" where they encounter several eccentrics.
The raccoons getting into Stephanie's jeep for a bucket of chicken sounds similar to another car that Stephanie "lost" (in a different book?). But part of the charm of the series for me is seeing how Stephanie "loses" another car. So it was disappointing that it was similar to one I'd read before.
The story kept me interested, but I wouldn't reread it (which is why it didn't receive a 5). show less
One of Stephanie's FTAs and the man Diesel is hunting are working together in a business deal, so Diesel pulls Stephanie into his task--though later he does help her catch her FTA. Their work takes show more them to "The Barrens" where they encounter several eccentrics.
The raccoons getting into Stephanie's jeep for a bucket of chicken sounds similar to another car that Stephanie "lost" (in a different book?). But part of the charm of the series for me is seeing how Stephanie "loses" another car. So it was disappointing that it was similar to one I'd read before.
The story kept me interested, but I wouldn't reread it (which is why it didn't receive a 5). show less
Stephanie, Stephanie, Stephanie. "Plum Spooky" is Janet Evanovich's latest hilarious trek through the life of confused, inept, and somehow lucky despite all that, bounty hunter Stephanie Plum. This is the longest 'between the numbers' novel yet at 309 hardcover pages. Diesel is back, as are Ranger and Morelli, along with Lula, more monkeys that I could count, and a host of other interesting characters!
Stephanie is after what should be a fairly easy recovery. Munch is a 24-year-old kid-sized genius with no friends or social skills who beaned his boss with a coffee mug and ran off with a prototype invention he'd been working on. Of course, once Stephanie goes after anybody, it's never easy and Munch has apparently managed to hook up with show more a seriously dangerous dude. His name is Gerwulf Grimoire, or Wulf for short, and he's also Diesel's cousin! So now Stephanie has to deal with Diesel while trying to track Munch. Morelli has become the unwilling host to his lothario brother when he's kicked out of his home by his fed up wife. Add in a reappearance by Carl the monkey who has been foisted upon Stephanie while his owner is on her honeymoon, and all this adds up to another wild and wacky adventure.
No sex. Thus the four stars. But for sheer entertainment and hilarity value, Stephanie's quandries are hard to top. There's injuries via staple guns, rioting monkeys, Lula's wedding antics, an actual grin from Ranger!, assorted dead bodies, and too many failed retrievals to count. Plum fans will certainly be thrilled with Evanovich's latest. show less
Stephanie is after what should be a fairly easy recovery. Munch is a 24-year-old kid-sized genius with no friends or social skills who beaned his boss with a coffee mug and ran off with a prototype invention he'd been working on. Of course, once Stephanie goes after anybody, it's never easy and Munch has apparently managed to hook up with show more a seriously dangerous dude. His name is Gerwulf Grimoire, or Wulf for short, and he's also Diesel's cousin! So now Stephanie has to deal with Diesel while trying to track Munch. Morelli has become the unwilling host to his lothario brother when he's kicked out of his home by his fed up wife. Add in a reappearance by Carl the monkey who has been foisted upon Stephanie while his owner is on her honeymoon, and all this adds up to another wild and wacky adventure.
No sex. Thus the four stars. But for sheer entertainment and hilarity value, Stephanie's quandries are hard to top. There's injuries via staple guns, rioting monkeys, Lula's wedding antics, an actual grin from Ranger!, assorted dead bodies, and too many failed retrievals to count. Plum fans will certainly be thrilled with Evanovich's latest. show less
Plum Spooky didn't work for me on a couple of levels. The Between-the-Numbers books have always revolved around holidays. Given the title, Plum Spooky, I was expecting a Halloween themed Stephanie Plum/Diesel book. This book had no Halloween focus and was in no way spooky in theme.
The tie in between the spookiness of the title and the actual plot was that the book had a lot of action in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey - home of the Jersey Devil. Even as a life long resident of NJ, I have no interest in the Pine Barrens or its legends. The Jersey Devil isn't something terrifying to me. The book places it on the same level as the Loch Ness Monster and Sasquatch. The problem is that some people actually believe in Nessie and Sasquatch. show more People have tried to prove their existence. The Jersey Devil is nothing but tourist baiting, hoping to get the gullible in the the Pine Barrens and paying for the tours.
And, then there is the monkeys. Stephanie is babysitting a pet monkey. She comes to acquire many more monkeys over the course of the book. The monkey humor wasn't funny and couldn't shoulder the expectation of humor that comes with a Stephanie Plum book.
Diesel could be an interesting character, but his role seems to be mostly the boosting of Stephanie's ego, which is already being hoisted by Ranger and Morelli. We get it, men want her, but most of Diesel's comments in the book are barely veiled innuendo. I'm intrigued to see what he may do on his own and will be checking out Wicked Appetites though, as he could have some great potential without the Stephanie distraction.
Some characters felt off in this book. Tank becomes a chatterbox. The man would not shut up about his cats. I ignored it, thinking perhaps he's just obsessed with his new cats, but when it came time to talk to Stephanie or others about real matters, he still carried a conversation. This is very out of character for him.
Plum Spooky is my least favorite Stephanie Plum book so far. Nothing seemed to work in this book. If you're really craving a Plum fix, this book may tide you over, but you may just want to move on to the next installment. show less
The tie in between the spookiness of the title and the actual plot was that the book had a lot of action in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey - home of the Jersey Devil. Even as a life long resident of NJ, I have no interest in the Pine Barrens or its legends. The Jersey Devil isn't something terrifying to me. The book places it on the same level as the Loch Ness Monster and Sasquatch. The problem is that some people actually believe in Nessie and Sasquatch. show more People have tried to prove their existence. The Jersey Devil is nothing but tourist baiting, hoping to get the gullible in the the Pine Barrens and paying for the tours.
And, then there is the monkeys. Stephanie is babysitting a pet monkey. She comes to acquire many more monkeys over the course of the book. The monkey humor wasn't funny and couldn't shoulder the expectation of humor that comes with a Stephanie Plum book.
Diesel could be an interesting character, but his role seems to be mostly the boosting of Stephanie's ego, which is already being hoisted by Ranger and Morelli. We get it, men want her, but most of Diesel's comments in the book are barely veiled innuendo. I'm intrigued to see what he may do on his own and will be checking out Wicked Appetites though, as he could have some great potential without the Stephanie distraction.
Some characters felt off in this book. Tank becomes a chatterbox. The man would not shut up about his cats. I ignored it, thinking perhaps he's just obsessed with his new cats, but when it came time to talk to Stephanie or others about real matters, he still carried a conversation. This is very out of character for him.
Plum Spooky is my least favorite Stephanie Plum book so far. Nothing seemed to work in this book. If you're really craving a Plum fix, this book may tide you over, but you may just want to move on to the next installment. show less
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212+ Works 214,591 Members
Janet Evanovich was born on April 22, 1943 in South River, New Jersey. She received a bachelor's degree in art from Douglas College, which is part of Rutgers University. She was working as a secretary for a temporary employment agency when she sold her first romance novel, Hero at Large, which was published in 1987 under the pseudonym Steffie show more Hall. She went on to write 12 romances in five years using her real name before beginning to write mysteries. Her first mystery novel, One for the Money, became the first book in the Stephanie Plum series. She is also the author of the Alex Barnaby series, A Between-the-Numbers Novel series, Lizzy and Diesel series, Full series written with Charlotte Hughes, the Fox and O'Hare series written with Lee Goldberg, and the Knight and Moon series written with Phoef Sutton. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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- Canonical title
- Plum Spooky
- Original publication date
- 2009-01-09
- People/Characters
- Stephanie Plum; Carl (monkey); Connie Rosolli; Lula; Vincent Plum (Vinnie); Joe Morelli (show all 43); Ranger (Ricardo Carlos Manoso); Martin Munch; Denny Guzzi; Bob (Joe's Dog); Tank (associate of Ranger); Diesel (associate of Ranger); Rex (Stephanie's Hamster); Wulf / Gerwulf Grimoire; Lydia Munch; Eugene Scanlon; Anthony Morelli; Grandma Mazur; Gordo Bollo; Doc Weiner; Solomon Cuddles; Hector Mendez; Flash. (associate of Diesel); Roberta Scanlon; Gail Scanlon; Jersey Devil; Charlene; Hal (associate of Ranger); Elmer the Fire Farter; Suzy (cat); Miss Kitty (cat); Applepuff (cat); Angelina Morelli; Anthony Morelli, jr.; Boon; Sasquatch; Lu Kim Rule; Vladimir Strunchek; Ivan; Bernard Zumwalt (E. Bunny or Easter Bunny); Ellen Plum; Frank Plum; Susan Stitch
- Important places
- Trenton, New Jersey, USA; Pine Barrens, New Jersey, USA; Hamilton Township, New Jersey, USA; Cadmount, New Jersey, USA; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Marbury, New Jersey, USA
- Dedication
- I'd like to acknowledge the Unmentionable assistance of Alex Evanovich, Peter Evanovich, and my St. Martin's Press editor and friend, SuperJen Enderlin
- First words
- Sometimes you get up in the morning and you know it's going to be one of those days.
- Quotations
- I'm from Jersey. I get my adventure on the Turnpike. I only fly if there's a beach or casino involved. And then it's in a big plane serving alcohol.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)I felt his hand on my ass, and I stood and turned to face him, but he was gone.
- Original language
- English US
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- Reviews
- 101
- Rating
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- English, German
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- ISBNs
- 33
- ASINs
- 23