Lowdown...

[Jack]

Ok, i have no idea about these books, (so dont ask why i am here)

Lets here the lowdown on these books

[Cecilia]

Heehee, I wrote this as an English speaking and listening, maybe this will help.

~*~

We chose to do our Speaking and Listening task on a book called One for the Money, because it’s a book we both found hilariously funny and both immensely enjoyed. Effective in being fast paced, exciting and hilariously funny, although not being one of the most intellectually challenging books, this is definitely worth a read.

One for the Money is the first book is a series by Janet Evanovich, the most recent of which being Ten Big Ones. Time Out said it was “One hell of a mystery debut…a new take on the crime front, as smart and sassy as high gloss, wet paint.”

Stephanie Plum is down on luck. She’s lost her job, her car’s on the brink of repossession, and her apartment is fast becoming furniture-free. She needs a job, and she needs money.

Consequently, Stephanie has little choice, but to blackmail her bail bondsman cousin, Vinnie, into giving her a try as a bounty hunter. See, Vinnie is kind of…sexually disorientated. In other words, he prefers ducks. Fortunately for both himself and Steph, his wife doesn’t this – providing ample blackmail material.

There's just one catch! Stephanie's task is to track down Joe Morelli, vice cop turned outlaw and who also happens to have the sexiest butt in Trenton, New Jersey... and she should know! Morelli is the irresistible macho pig who took Stephanie's virginity at age sixteen and then wrote the details on the bathroom wall of Mario's Sub Shop. But tracking down a cop wanted for murder isn’t easy…

And it could also become extremely dangerous, especially when Stephanie encounters a heavyweight title contender who likes to play rough. Benito Ramirez is known for his brutality to women. At the very least, his obsession with Stephanie complicates her manhunt and brings terror and uncertainty into her life. At the worst, it could lead to murder. Unfortunately, the best person to protect her just happens to be on the run…

Around Stephanie things just happen, cars blow up, people disappear and munchkins develop attitude. Stephanie lives in the Burg, a close nit community, where everyone knows everybody’s business. Stephanie’s parents and grandmother are also local residents, and boy, can this family pack a punch. It’s not every household that can boast a grandmother who uses a 38' to slice the meat and takes her son in law out with a stun gun to provide evening entertainment!

The writing style in this book is just one of the factors that allow it to become such an effective book. Use of the first person makes it personal to Stephanie, allowing her thoughts to be portrayed, and her reactions to the situations around her, normally with hilarious results. Readers get an insight into her mind, and through sadness, jubilation, excitement and fear, come out loving Stephanie Plum and the world Janet Evanovich has created.

Witty, fresh, and full of surprises, One for the Money was among the most eagerly awaited crime novels of the season. Described by Time Out as “the most original and witty mystery in years”, Publishers Weekly said “First novels this funny and self-assured come along rarely; dialogue this astute and raunchy is equally unusual…a delightful read.” Sassy story lines, saucy men, and one kick-ass chick - we’d definitely agree.

[colormejaedyn]

That's a great description of the first book. It helped me remember what the first one was about, too! I think I'll have to re-read them soon. I did the other.... week but I had to leave a few out seeing as my mother had taken them to Boston to read there, the first one being amongst those. Thanks for that wonderful (and very Times-sounding) review.