Two for the Dough

"Two for the Dough" is the second in Janet Evanovich's series about Stephanie Plum, the bounty hunter.

Stephanie was financially desperate after she lost her job as a lingerie buyer for a department store. She didn't know what to do or how to earn money. Then she stumbled onto an opportunity to earn commission chasing individuals who didn't want to be found. Without any experience or training she began working for her cousin Vinnie who ran a bail bond office.

In "Two for the Dough" Stephanie is still not very skilled or competent in her job. She doesn't have the expertise that might be needed and expected from someone who is capturing individuals who have jumped their bail. The work can be very dangerous and she is afraid but continues to accept files because she is motivated by poverty.

Stephanie is given a file for Kenny Mancuso who has shot his best friend. Kenny is a working class man from New Jersey who is suddenly quite wealthy without any obvious explanation for this. At the same time, Stephanie accepts a private contract. Her maternal grandmother plays a key role in helping her with this.

The manager of a funeral home hires Stephanie to find a large number of caskets that have mysterious disappeared. Stephanie has Grandma Mazur serve as decoy as the two of them go from one funeral home to another pretending they are there for viewings. They are really trying to gather information that would hopefully help them find the caskets and maybe even Kenny.

Joe Morelli, the vice-cop from Evanovich's first Plum novel is now cleared of his murder charges and becomes competition to Stephanie. He is a distant relative of Kenny and is also eager to capture him as part of his job.

The plot takes several twists and turns as the characters not only live out the mundane aspects of their lives but also incorporate the danger and exciting elements associated with their work.

Stephanie and her grandmother are carrying guns and there is danger that they either won't use them or will use them inappropriately. There is also a very real danger that they will be hurt or even killed by those who don't want them to discover the things that they are trying to hide.

Stephanie's parents are both supportive and stressful elements of her life. Even though they do and say things that irritate her, she does turn to them at times for the things that family provide - food, laundry and a warm bed!

Once again, Evanovich combines humour and crime together in an interesting and unpredictable manner. Her characters are strong and she is able to capture the attention of the reader beginning on the very first page. As I read, I noticed that my emotions were very near the surface. Sometimes I was laughing and at other times I felt the very real fear that the circumstances of the plot demanded.

The more that I read of Evanovich, the more I want. In fact, since receiving and reading the first three novel set, I have ordered several more. This is quickly becoming one of my very favourite authors!

Three To Get Deadly

"Three to Get Deadly" is the third book in Janet Evanovich's series about Stephanie Plum, bounty hunter.

This story focusses on the mystery associated with the disappearance of the man everyone in the community loved and called "Uncle Mo". He owned the candy store where children and adults alike had good memories. He was stopped by a rookie cop when he was doing ten miles above the speed limit. Mo had been carrying a concealed weapon and was arrested because of this.

Stephanie's cousin Vinnie had posted bail on behalf of Uncle Mo but, when Uncle Mo didn't appear when he was required, Stephanie was assigned to the case. Her role, as bounty hunter, is to capture the missing person and turn him into the police station. As payment for her work, she receives ten percent of the amount of bail that was posted.

In this book, Stephanie face a great deal of scorn and resistance from the community as they all have grown to love Uncle Mo over the years. Their perception is that Uncle Mo would never have done anything wrong.

Stephanie knows the law but she doesn't always follow it. She breaks into Uncle Mo's apartment and is surprised by what she finds. She, and community members are also shocked by the fact that dead bodies keep turning up. The danger increases and Stephanie finds herself dealing with drug dealers and prostitutes in areas of New Jersey that she would likely not otherwise frequent.

Joe Morelli, the vice-cop who had sexually abused Stephanie in the past and Ranger who is Stephanie's bounty hunter mentor are both supports and irritants for Stephanie who is determined to find Uncle Mo and determine who was doing all the killing.

Stephanie's eccentric parents and Grandmother Mazur also have important roles in this crime novel. They all have strong ideas about how Stephanie should live and work, a situation that causes her stress. At the same time, however, they are always there for Stephanie if she wants a good home-cooked meal, advice or someone to accompany her on missions.

Lula, a former prostitute, who was introduced to us in an earlier Plum novel, is now working in Vinnie's office as a filing clerk. She has a bigger role in "Three to get Deadly" as she provides valuable information, transportation and interesting but unconventional companionship to Stephanie.

Stephanie and Joe Morelli's relationship becomes even more complex than in the past. They begin caring about one another and it is obvious that Joe wants to ensure that Stephanie is safe.

This was a great book that, in typical Evanovich style, has a plot with unexpected twists and turns. I continue to enjoy the way in which she combines the seriousness of violence and crime with the everyday humour of the interesting characters who all contribute to the plot in their own unique ways.