Smokin' Seventeen

A Stephanie Plum Novel

By: Janet Evanovich

Narrated by: Lorelei King

Where there’s smoke there’s fire, and no one knows this better than New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum.

Dead bodies are showing up in shallow graves on the empty construction lot of Vincent Plum Bail Bonds. No one is sure who the killer is, or why the victims have been offed, but what is clear is that Stephanie’s name is on the killer’s list.

Short on time to find evidence proving the killer’s identity, Stephanie faces further complications when her family and friends decide that it’s time for her to choose between her longtime off-again-on-again boyfriend, Trenton cop Joe Morelli, and the bad boy in her life, security expert Ranger. Stephanie’s mom is encouraging Stephanie to dump them both and choose a former high school football star who’s just returned to town. Stephanie’s sidekick, Lula, is encouraging Stephanie to have a red-hot boudoir “bake-off.” And Grandma Bella, Morelli’s old-world grandmother, is encouraging Stephanie to move to a new state when she puts “the eye” on Stephanie.

With a cold-blooded killer after her, a handful of hot men, and a capture list that includes a dancing bear and a senior citizen vampire, Stephanie’s life looks like it’s about to go up in smoke.

Jersey girl: listen to more in the Stephanie Plum series.©2011 Janet Evanovich (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"No less than her plotting, Evanovich’s characterizations are models of screwball artistry. . . . The intricate plot machinery of her comic capers is fueled by inventive twists.” (The New York Times)

“Chutzpah and sheer comic inventiveness.... The Evanovich/Plum books [are] good fun.” (The Washington Post)

Lorelei King's voice!

I've been getting the book and audible versions forever! Lorelei does an amazing job narrating! It brings the book to life, between the writing (which is always great and hilarious) and the voices used.

Cliffhanger

The office burned to the ground in SIXTEEN, so Stephanie, Lula, and Connie, are conducting business out of a tricked-out bus owned by a former escapee, Moonie. The bus is wired for the Internet, but it's also his only mode of transportation, so it moves around a bit.

When they arrive at work on Mon., the bus is gone from the vacant lot which is now ringed with police cars and yellow police tape and a body part sticking out of the ground. Then more bodies appear, two with notes attached, addressed to Stephanie.

Meanwhile, Stephanie’s mother and grandmother have been pushing her to make up her mind between her long-time cop boyfriend, Joe Morelli, and the sexy but commitment-challenged security professional, Ranger; so her mother has set her up with Dave Brewer, a former high school classmate who just came back to town.

Lula suggests she have a sort of "throw down" contest between all three to find out who is best in bed.

I found myself smirking and actually laughing out loud during the reading of this book.
Although the book has a cliffhanger ending, at least in the romance department, readers don't have long to wait for the conclusion, because EXPLOSIVE EIGHTEEN comes out just in time.

My writing performance for audible is higher than five overall it’s my favorite listening to app

This is a great app for every phone. The overall rating of the books on my app are very good and I love using my phone to listen to. I would recommend all my friends and family to get this app on their phone so that they could listen to their favorite books to I could send him some of my books and they could send me some other books

hilarious

I love all these books. they are so fun to listen to over and over again!

Stephanie's still da' bomb!

Would you consider the audio edition of Smokin' Seventeen to be better than the print version?

I've been a huge fan of the Stephanie Plum series since "One for the Money." No, they aren't the most socially redeeming books and probably don't qualify as epic literature, but they do as they are intended: they provide a fun, lusty, disastrous romp. This one is just as fun as all the others, and I was happy to finally see some decisive development in Steph's relationships.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lula never ceases to make me laugh!

Par for Stephanie

Ok, nobody ever said Stephanie Plum novels are "great literature", but for a fun escape from your daily grind, they are just what the doctor ordered. Not as many laugh-out-loud moments as in previous novels, and the culprit was pretty easy to label early on, but still worth the credit for a light and enjoyable summer listen.

Evanovich Does It Again

What did you love best about Smokin' Seventeen?

The familiar characters, the humor, the story.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

On the edge of my seat, not really. But it kept me wanting to hear more until the very end. After a few of the Stephanie Plum adventures you know what kind of mischief she gets into. The byplay with Bella and her spells was great! Stephanie's romp with Ranger is edgy.

What does Lorelei King bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

She is a tremendous narrator who adds immeasureably to the story. Her renditions of Lula and Grandma are wonderful.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Bella's Evil eye.

Any additional comments?

As one can tell, I really liked this Audible selection.

Hoping 18 is better

There was a new twist and a new spin but I was looking for some more excitement. Without spoiling the book for those yet to experience it, the Morelli and Ranger situation takes another turn...I hope 18 is better and not so predictable

I laughed so hard I cried!

This just might be my favorite Plum book. But I haven't read them all...yet. I love these books!

Stephanie Plum makes me crack up!!

As usuall, the author made me laugh out loud!!! Yeah, Stephanie Plum gets into the same troubles; cars blowing up, boyfriend, not boyfriend problems. But, I still laugh!!! And I love it!!