Lean Mean Thirteen (Stephanie Plum, No. 13) by Janet Evanovich Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Lean Mean Thirteen (Stephanie Plum, No. 13)
Book Review: Lucky as ever 13
Summary: 5 Stars
I can't for a minute understand why so many reviewers were disappointed by this 13th Stephanie Plum novel - my husband and I wait eagerly for each new book in the series to be available, and we both found this one of the funniest ever .. the taxidermist exploits were fabulous, the dialogue as great as ever, the characters like very precious old friends ... each of us laughed throughout the book and agreed that we can't wait for the next one.
I disagree that the plot was tired ... Stephanie's exploits aren't meant to morph into V.I. Warshawski's or Kinsey Millhone's! And why on earth should she choose between Joe or Ranger? Then she wouldn't have all the pleasure of their company and nor would we ;-) Maybe by book number 20 she'll make a decision, but what's the hurry?
I very much enjoy the dynamics between Morelli and Ranger and Steph, and I'd hate to see that go. Also, I enjoy living on the edge of "will she, won't she?" go there again with Ranger ... she isn't even living with Morelli, so I don't have a "Stephanie's a slut" problem should she decide to do so .. and ooh, both these guys are soooooo hot! LOL
I enjoy the Plum family; love to hate Joyce when she makes another appearance in a book, adore Rex - for all he spends so much time in his soup can - and would have Bob join my own dogs in a heartbeat ...
This is a fabulous book and has not only served to make me eager for the next, but given me hours of enjoyment in the meantime.
Book Review: Lean Mean Plotline
Summary: 2 Stars
I bought this book before any of the reviews have been posted and if I had seen what had been written I would have been fuming, but now I've read (most of) the book I totally agree with the majority of the reviews. I have, like others read the other 12 in this series, but I haven't even finished this one. Its hard to understand what I dislike about the book, and as I love all the characters I've decided it must be the plot. Every book has had the Morelli, Ranger, Stephanie love triangle but now it's just getting irritating and boring. Readers won't put up with recycled plots and lame directionless sub plots. I'm not bothered if the plots are believable or not as long as they don't feel tiresome. I used to eagerly anticipate the release of these books, but sadly now, I think those days have gone. I'm now reading Marcia Muller's latest, she really has stood the test of time. Book Review: just as good
Summary: 5 Stars
one off the first to buy this book also read all 12 and thought it was just as good..... Keep it up and lets have more.............. Book Review: Stephanie's in good form
Summary: 4 Stars
This is another typical outing for Stephanie Plum and associates. This time Stephanie's ex husband Dickie Orr has been in on some shady business and has gone missing. Someone's playing fast and loose with a flame thrower and exploding beavers and stuffed cats are the least of Stephanie's problems.
When this started out, I almost put it down because it was so samey, but as I got into it, I realised that actually, this was rather fun. I suppose it's rather like watching episodes of Scooby Doo. You always know what's going to happen, but you tune in and watch it anyway.
Bottom line, don't expect anything different from the other thirteen. Go with the flow, enjoy your favourite characters and chill.
Book Review: The Perils of Pauline aka "Stephanie"
Summary: 4 Stars
Stephanie Plum novels are always fun. They are not great literature, introspective or soul searching; nor are they Pulitzer Prize material; but on the other hand they are well written, great fun and a good mindless relaxing read.
Janet Evanovich has completed yet another successful novel with "Lean Mean Thirteen". As with all Stephanie Plum novels, our fearless protagonist is about ready to do once again what she knows she shouldn't do.
Stephanie muses, "I was about to do something I knew I shouldn't do. The signs were all there in front of me. Sick stomach. Feeling of impending disaster. Knowledge that it was illegal. And yet I was going to forge ahead with the plan. Not that this was especially unusual. Truth is, I've been dealing with impending doom for as long as I can remember."...and so begins another adventure with our girl.
What was a little bewildering about this novel is that our protagonist is surrounded by all of her former and current love interests. The first being Dickie Orr, her first mistake, who she was married to for 15 minutes when she found him cheating on her with her arch enemy Joyce Barnhardt who in this novel Dickie has reconnected with. Her next error in judgement involves a second love interest: Ranger..who she decides to do a favor for and winds up knee deep in dangerous territory. Doing favors for Ranger always has strings attached or unusual circumstances. Ranger has asked Stephanie to plant a bug on Dickie. In doing so, she loses her temper and becomes a prime suspect when Dickie goes missing especially as he forgot to change his will and she might come to inherit a cool 40 million!
Joe Morelli has his own secrets and he and Ranger try to keep Stephanie out of trouble which we all know is virtually impossible. The same old gang is around for this adventure including Lulu, Connie, Tank, Bob the wonderful canine, Rex and my favorite character Grandma Mazur. Even a new taxidermist boyfriend for Grandma turns up.
Some of the reviewers were disappointed with the plot and even with Stephanie's indecisiveness. There is little change in direction or life's purpose for our heroine and the time has come for some decisions to be made and some newness to be injected into the predictability of the characters and plot development. Stephanie seems to be in a no commitment of any type zone and seems to be wandering aimlessly drifting further from a decent job, committed relationship or marriage. Having a heroine live from pay check to pay check without any plans for her future after thirteen novels is leaving a few faithful readers cold. If this were real life, one would have to wonder how much longer would a Morelli wait in the wings and/or be patient or understanding with the attraction that his love interest seems to have for another man.
Though I am still a fan of cupcake and enjoyed the novel immensely, I like many others believe that the next novel should summon in some changes for Stephanie and some new directions for her life. The heroine needs to maintain the respect and admiration of her loyal followers and this can only be done if she makes some decisions regarding her relationships and her commitments or lack of commitment to them. If she strikes out on her own looking for a new Mr. Right and stops dangling Morelli and Ranger..even that would be enough to regain the respect of her followers. It doesn't seem to fit our character's personality or sense of fair play that she would be comfortable in leading on both men and have conflicting feelings for both of them indefinately.
However, despite my personal misgivings that more unpredictable events should have been part of "Lean Mean Thirteen" and were not and that it seems to be time for our girl to grow up and make some choices for her future, I still have to say that I find Stephanie Plum to still be a compelling and zany bounty hunter whose antics always aim to please.
Let us hope that #14 steers Stephanie on a new path or I like many others may have reached the end of the line.
3.5 stars (B-) "Recommend as a fun and worthwhile read"
Bentley/2007