Julie's Review: Lean Mean Thirteen

Summary:
In her rollicking 13th Stephanie Plum adventure (after Twelve Sharp), bestseller Evanovich is in top, quirky form. Plucky, bumbling New Jersey bounty hunter Plum is reunited with her two-timing lawyer ex-husband, Dickie Orr, while doing a favor for the mysterious, sexy Ranger. But when Dickie disappears from his house leaving behind only bloodstains and bullet holes, Plum becomes the prime suspect in his alleged murder. Determined to clear her name, Plum and her on-again off-again Trenton cop boyfriend, the irresistible Joe Morelli, uncover Dickie's ties to a shady group of men involved in everything from money laundering to drug running. And when Dickie's jilted business partners decide Stephanie holds the key to the $40 million they believe Dickie stole from them, she's in for a wild ride. With the author's usual cast of eccentric side characters—everything from a taxidermist with a penchant for bombs to a grave-robbing tax man—Evanovich proves once again that Stephanie Plum and her entourage are here to stay.

Review:
First off you must know that I'm a "Cupcake", while I believe that being a "Babe" might be fun for a while the mystery of Ranger would wear out it's welcome. Which is why as much as I love this series, I'm ready for Steph to make a decision between Joe Morelli and Carlos Manoso AKA Ranger. I love the banter between Stephanie and Ranger and the heat it generates but there is something that pulls her to Morelli more than Ranger.

I enjoyed the adventure as usual in the book. I enjoyed how Ms. Evanovich brought in Stephanie's first and slimy ex-husband Dickie Orr and her ultimate nemesis Joyce Bernhardt, it made for good comedy. The adventures in the series are never complex but more to show how much trouble Stephanie can get herself into without even really trying.

The supporting cast in the book is always what makes it for me. Grandma Mazur, Lula, Mr and Mrs. Plum. They are the glue that holds this series together; since at times Stephanie can get on my nerves, you need a strong supporting cast.

This wasn't the best book out of the series but it was entertaining enough to make me wonder what happens in the next book. Note to Janet: MORE MORELLI!!!

Final Take: 3.8/5