Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich

Title: Finger Lickin' Fifteen
Author: Janet Evanovich
ISBN: 9780312383299
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks, 2010
Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages
Genre: Humorous Mystery, #15 Stephanie Plum mystery
Rating: D+
Source: Purchased at Barnes & Noble.

First Line: When I was a kid, I was afraid of spiders and vegetables.

Lula witnesses the beheading of a popular TV chef and finds that she's being followed by two of the most inept hitmen in the business. She and Grandma Masur then get the bright idea to enter the barbecue sauce contest that the dead chef was in town to promote. On the Stephanie front, she's behind in rounding up her skips, she and Morelli are on the outs, and she's moonlighting for Ranger trying to solve a series of break-ins at properties under the protection of Rangeman Security.

I think I've finally hit the wall. I thought this series was brilliant through the first six or seven books, but since then it's been limping along like a woman with a pebble in one of her stilettos. Evanovich's recycling has truly angered me for the first time. It would be heaven to read a Stephanie Plum mystery and not have her blow up a car, have her apartment set on fire, have her get something icky in her hair, or need help with all her skips. If I worked with this woman, either I'd be gone... or she would be. Everyone should be a sort of Peter Pan in some of their outlook on life, but not to the extent that they never learn, they never grow, they never change.

The only part of this book that was relatively humorous for me was Lula and Grandma Masur trying to make barbecue sauce. That plot line did have its moments, but for the most part, Finger Lickin' Fifteen is just Evanovich going to the barn to milk the cash cow again. If she'd only put that milking stool by the bull, perhaps we'd be treated to something new, fresh and truly hilarious.


9 comments:

  1. I only made it through #8 and then lost interest. I'm wondering if maybe I should switch to listening as I've heard the audiobooks are good. Sorry to hear this was a disappointment.

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  3. My husband is the audio book reader in the family, so I may ask him to give one a try.

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  4. I feel the same way, I used to love this series, but this one just about did me in. I haven't been interested in the new one at all.

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  5. I'm actually listening to this one now. I find I can't read them too close together or I get annoyed with how similar they are.

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  6. I know what you mean! I haven't read any past 7. I experienced the same "beating a dead horse" scenario with Patricia Cornwell too. Although, I did pick up Janet E.'s new Graphic Novel which I find to be entertaining.
    Thanks for the great review!

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  7. I hear you. That Kool-Aid wore off a long time ago for me.

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  8. I heard Janet Evanovich in a panel discussion at my alma mater (hers too) and thought I would try her books because she was very funny in person. Never got around to it though and now I don't think I'll bother.

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  9. Kathy-- For some strange reason, I had #16 on my PBS wish list, and I have it here. I think I'll skim through it very soon and send it along its way.

    Kris-- I haven't been reading them close together and I get annoyed with how similar they are!

    Suzanne-- You're welcome. I think I gave up on Cornwell somewhere around book 6 or 7. Haven't missed her. Thanks for stopping by!

    Naomi-- Sometimes it takes longer for me, but when it finally happens I become a rabid reformer. :)

    Barbara-- The first six are wonderful. The last ten could be easily missed with no regrets.

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