I'm Laughing Again: Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich

My second book for 2012 is another Stephanie Plum Novel: Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich. In this installment, Stephanie has another run-in with her ex-husband, Dickie Orr. After she goes after him-again-he disappears and she is a suspect in his disappearance. Then, Joyce Barnhardt is after Stephanie because of Dickie's disappearance. Oh, and don't forget about Ranger and Morelli. They're involved too.

Stephanie has some hilarious things happen to her, which I've been missing for a while. "Thirteen" had me laughing out loud again. Exploding taxidermied animals, dinner with a stuffed cat, and everybody's reaction to the cable company were some of my favorites in this book.

Fun to read, I really recommend this book in the series. My neighbor probably wonders what I'm doing up here with all the laughing!

I Met My Goal Again! Book #35: Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich

I hit my goal of 35 books read in 2011 with another of the Stephanie Plum novels. "Twelve Sharp" by Janet Evanovich was a hit, as they always are.

In "Twelve Sharp" Stephanie is back working for Vinnie at the bonds office. She has quite a mystery on her hands, but it doesn't have to do with one of her skips. This time it's all about Ranger. She has to come to his rescue and help him out, while he is once again watching out for her. And don't forget, Morelli is always there too. In this novel, Stephanie and Morelli reach a new level in their relationship.

For some reason, this book had a different feel than the others. I never could put my finger on it. The only thing that stood out to me was that the language Stephanie used seemed to be a bit harsher at times (although that didn't bother me). It wasn't as laugh-out-loud funny as previous books had been, but the great plot and mystery made up for it. I didn't want to put the book down!

I think Ms. Evanovich did a great job keeping the storyline fresh this far into the series. Most of the time the books stand alone, but at this point in the series I think it's best to have some background on the characters. I not only recommend this book, but I recommend the entire series.

Book #27: Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich

The tenth installment of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich, Ten Big Ones, starts off with a bang. An explosion, really. Right away, Stephanie's car explodes. Since her car remained intact during the ninth book, it was nice that it got torched so soon in this one.

Stephanie Plum is a bounty hunter that always seems to get herself involved in crazy situations that she can't quite get out of on her own. This time, she ends up on a gang's hit list and she has to go into hiding. Of course, hiding to Stephanie still includes going out and finding skips, but if it were any different it just wouldn't be Stephanie.

This book brings back a character from earlier in the series, Sally Sweet, a big, ugly transvestite who is now driving a bus and becomes Stephanie's sister's wedding planner. As funny as that visual is, this book didn't make me laugh as much as the previous books. Don't get me wrong, I laughed. I'm not sure that Stephanie could not be funny. This book just didn't seem as laugh out loud hilarious as the ones before.

As always, I recommend this book. You don't have to start at the beginning of the series, but it's totally worth it if you do!

Book #20: The Cat Who Could Read Backwards by Lilian Jackson Braun

"The Cat Who Could Read Backwards" is the first book in the lengthy series by recently deceased author Lilian Jackson Braun. First published in 1966, this book kicked off a series of 29 books featuring newspaper reporter Jim Qwilleran.

In this first book, Koko the Siamese cat (who can read newspaper headlines backwards) does not actually belong to Qwilleran, but belongs to his landlord and art critic at the Daily Fluxion, George Bonifield Mountclemens. Qwilleran also works at the Daily Fluxion but he is in the Features Department, writing feel-good pieces on the artists that Mountclemens has offended with his harsh criticisms.

Qwilleran is used to writing more serious articles, at one time working as a police reporter. When a local art gallery is the scene for a brutal murder, Qwilleran's old instincts kick in and he begins to ask questions, trying to figure out who might have committed the crime. When two more deaths occur, Qwilleran develops new theories and is even assisted by Koko, who leads him to clues.

One of the things I most enjoyed about this book is the fact that it was written in the 60s. There are no cell phones or computers. If someone wants to make a phone call, they must track down a telephone. Articles are typed on manual typewriters, not emailed or dropboxed in. Qwilleran notes at one point when visiting a local wealthy artist how his house is "wired to do all kinds of tricks" such as having electronic gates and an intercom at the driveway.

There are lots of potential suspects in this book. Artists who are angry with the local critic along with the galleries and museum in town that connect them all make for a labyrinth of possible scenarios. I developed my own theories along the way, but never considered the way in which it actually turned out.

"The Cat Who Could Read Backwards" is a fun mystery that I would recommend to fans of cozy mysteries. If you have read the series, I would love to know what you thought of the books and whether the series should be read in order or if you can skip around.

Book #8: Seven Up by Janet Evanovich

If you have followed my blog, you already realize how much I love the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. I can always count on them to draw me in, make me laugh and keep me coming back for more! "Seven Up" follows right along that same path.

In this installment of the series, things are getting hotter with Ranger and more serious with Morelli. Stephanie is still at war with Joyce and Lula still has her back. Her big case is finding Eddie DeChooch which, as is normal, proves to be harder than it should be. Especially since Eddie is an old man who can barely see. At least he rarely hits what he shoots at!

Along the way, Dougie and Mooner (friends she made in "Hot Six") both end up missing. She has to figure out how they are tied into the DeChooch situation and find them before something bad happens to these harmless stoners.

As a change of pace, Stephanie doesn't have a car blown up in this book. That doesn't mean something doesn't happen to it, though. This is Stephanie Plum we're talking about!

If you want a fun read, one that goes fast and keeps you interested-not to mention howling with laughter-read this book! You don't have to start with the first book in the series since there is a synopsis at the beginning to give you an idea of what the series is about, but seriously, they are all worth reading. Janet Evanovich has created fascinating characters that are flawed in all the right ways.