ISBN: 0-06-100905-9 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com
An amusing, at times hilarious, novel, mixing comically exaggerated characters, and grittily realistic perils of urban and suburban America, this mystery features an engaging heroine and fast pace.
Reviewed by David on September 04, 1999
Genre: Mystery (Amateur Sleuth)
Synopsis: Stepahnie Plum, a young Trenton woman, is out of work and out of luck. Treasuring her independence, she stumbles upon work that will give her a quick source of money: as a recovery agent for her sleezy cousin's bail bond business. Without any experience, combat training or weapons, but an enormous amount of chutzpa, Stephanie embarks on a career of chasing down petty criminals and dangerous felons.
Full Review: Full of tough dialogue, funny, unsentimental, terrified and angry Stephanie makes a fascinating narrator as her blue-collar neighborhhod supplies her with gossip, car troubles, food and danger. And danger there is a plenty: from pimps and drug-pushers, to seductively dangerous cops accused of murder.
The plot moves fast, and the grimly humorous events keep the reader's attention. The occasionally too-domestic situational comedy, and episodes of frustrating misfortune mar the otherwise non-stop entertainment. However, this mystery certainly provides sufficient enjoyment to make one anticipate with pleasure further adventures of Stephanie Plum.
Overall: 6; Plot: 5; Characters: 6; Style: 6; World-building: 5.5; Originality: 4.5;
Copyright date 1994, HarperCollins (HarperPrism), September 1995, Mass market paperback
ISBN: 0-06-100905-9 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com