Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich; 2011; $28.00; 305 pages; Bantam Books, New York, NY; 978-0-345-52771-4; Checked out from Multnomah County Library, Hollywood; 1/17-1/18

Why did I pick this up? Because I have read the previous 17 and liked them.

What is the story? Pretty much the usual, Stephanie tries to apprehend bail jumpers, it ends funnily.  Stephanie tries to decide between Morelli and Ranger, it doesn’t end.   Stephanie loses a couple of cars in magnificent ways.  Lulu, Connie, Vinnie, and Grandma Mazur are back helping us to laugh.

Did I like it? Yes, but not as much as previously.  Things are too stagnant, every book is essentially the same.

Grade-C

What is with the title of the review? I will give Ms. Plum one more chance and then there will be a breakup if something doesn’t change.  The story synopsis was cut and pasted from the review of the 17th book, I just took out two sentences.  18 books and Stephanie hasn’t improved as a bondsperson, Lulu still dresses she did in her previous job, Stephanie can’t decide two guys and neither of the guys has had the guts to tell her to make a decision.  Look to Robert K. Tanenbaum to how a series should progress.