Visions of Sugar Plums

I like the Stephanie Plum books, but this book just doesn't seem to fit in the series. It is funny, of course, but it doesn't feel like Stephanie Plum. Ranger and Vinnie aren't in this book, and Morelli and Lula only get a handful of pages apiece. Stephanie spends most of the book in the company of Diesel, a supernatural superhero who flirts with her and chases superpowered supernatural villains. I don't think the supernatural elements fit too well with the Plum novels, either, and it isn't even a "Christmas" miracle story, since Diesel is a year-round magic guy. I read the book and enjoyed it for what it was, but the whole time I was telling myself that once this between-the-numbers book was over, I could pretend it never happened. show more Unfortunately, at the end, we learn that one of Valerie's kids will grow up to be a supernatural superpowered superhero, too, so now I suppose that for the rest of the series, whether this book's events are mentioned or not, I will have a constant reminder anyway. Sheesh!

If this is the only Plum book you've ever read, you'll probably like it. I think it's nice on its own; it just doesn't mesh with the rest of the series. show less

Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is looking for Sandy Claws since he skipped out on his court appearance. A good-looking guy named Diesel appears in her apartment seemingly out of nowhere. He is there to help and goes with her to start looking for Claws even though she's not sure if Diesel is a supernatural being or not.

This was a humorous story of Stephanie trying to get ready for Christmas but having lots of difficulties, as usual. The usual cast of characters were all there contributing to the humor. This was a fun and short story for the holidays.

A short holiday-themed interlude in Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, written between books eight and nine. (You can tell it's not a regular part of the series because there's no number in the title.) The story involves a mysterious, hot guy with supernatural abilities who magically appears in Stephanie's living room, having been sent -- somehow, by someone -- to help her as she attempts to apprehend an elderly toymaker named -- wait for it! -- Sandy Claws.

OK, I'm aware this must seem like a very unseasonable thing to read in March. But this is when I happened to reach the point in the series where it's set. And I thought that might actually work in its favor. I mean, I honestly much prefer Christmas music if I encounter it (usually show more via iPod's random shuffle feature) in July than in late December, by which point I've been inundated with Christmassy stuff for so long I've gotten sick of it. I'm not sure that works nearly as well with books, though, because I was a bit humbuggy about this one.

The thing is, while I like fantasy novels just fine, supernatural elements suddenly, randomly popping up after eight volumes set firmly in mundane reality annoys me immensely. Since this is presented as being outside the main run of the series, that might not have been quite as much of a problem if I could have just regarded this as -- to use a nerdy buzzword -- non-canonical, a Christmas fantasy brought about by over-indulgence in eggnog, perhaps. But it features a significant development that seems like it's going to have to carry through to later books in the series, so I couldn't even do that. And it's not like the fantasy part of the story was even good. It was underdeveloped and gratuitous, and silly in entirely different ways than this series is supposed to be silly.

It wasn't all bad, though. There are some great scenes with Stephanie's family, who are in fine, hilarious, even-crazier-than-usual form. I'm mildly tempted to knock my rating up another half a star just for those, but... Meh. show less

I like Joe and Ranger better than Diesel but OK. It's five days before Christmas and things are not looking merry for Fugitive Apprehension Agent Stephanie Plum. She hasn't got a tree. She hasn't bought any presents. The malls are jam-packed with staggering shoppers. There's not a twinkle light anywhere to be seen in her apartment. And there's a strange man in her kitchen. Sure, this has happened to Stephanie Plum before. Strangers, weirdos, felons, creeps, and lunatics are always finding their way to her front door. But this guy is different. This guy is mysterious, sexy-and he has his own agenda. His name is Diesel and he is a man on a mission. And Diesel is unlike anyone Stephanie has ever met before in her life. The question is, show more what does he want with her? Can he help her find a little old toy maker who has skipped out on his bail right before Christmas? show less

Finally got round to reading this about 10 years after I borrowed it from someone. As it was a "Holiday Novella" it didn't seem right not to read it out of season.

Great fun as always, although a little out of this world. And sadly no Ranger, and not enough Morelli. But I reacquainted myself with all things Stephanie and am ready to pick up in the series where I left off.

It is five days before Christmas, and toy maker Sandy Claws has missed his court date. Can bond enforcement agent Stephanie get him to reschedule before a lot of little people are put out of work? Maybe, with the help of a mysterious guy named Diesel—just Diesel—who shows up in her kitchen like the ghost of Christmas Chaos.

Fun—but to say it is mind candy is maybe giving more credit than it deserves.

While I usually enjoy The Stephanie Plum series, this one was very disappointing. I'm glad it wasn't my first read of Janet Evanovichs' books. Parts of this were funny, but it gravely lacked the overall witty writing of her other novels.