To The Nines by Janet Evanovich

With a three day weekend I lucked out with the next few books in the Stephanie Plum series hitting the library so it was safe to say I spent a lot of time reading. Be prepared, because it’s going to be a week of Plum Fun on the blog!

I’ve read a lot of the reviews about the Stephanie Plum series as the books have gone on and a lot seem to drop off around books 9 and 10 saying that they are repetitive and not as funny as the previous books. Maybe it’s because I took a few weeks off from the series (as I impatiently waited for them to come in at the library) but I found To the Nines to be my favorite book so far in the series.

First things first, can you really go wrong with Stephanie, Lula & Connie in surrounded by Elvis impersonators? (A Cher impersonator made an appearance too). More on that in a bit.

In To the Nines, Vinnie puts all of his “men” on the team to find Samuel Singh, a programmer from a local company who was visiting Trenton on a Visa. He suddenly disappears (as does his host families dog). Lucky for her, Stephanie finds herself caught in the middle of a “the game” which is a killing game being played by local computer nerds. From flower deliveries to creepy notes Stephanie decides it’s best to move out of her apartment until the “Web Master” is found.

Ranger sends his team to protect Stephanie when Morelli isn’t around, something he later found himself regretting.

“About Cal . . .” I said. “He’s sort of out of commission.”
“Used to be you destroyed my cars,” Ranger said.
“Yeah, those were the good old days.”
“How bad is it?”
Evanovich, Janet (2008-05-14). To the Nines (Stephanie Plum, No. 9) (p. 272). St. Martin’s Press. Kindle Edition.

On their hunt for Singh Ranger has to step back as he as an ongoing problem with weapons and the state of Nevada and  Singh turns up in Las Vegas. In an attempt to get Tank, one of Ranger’s men, through security, Stephanie, Lula and Connie loose Tank and hit the streets of Vegas alone. At least, until another one of Ranger’s men can meet up with them. Lula was all about the fun while Stephanie was ready to work.

“They got stuff here that I didn’t even know existed. Everything’s spandex and sequins. It’s a retired ho’s dream come true.”
Janet Evanovich

In the midst of Lula’s new found love of Las Vegas, she is also on an all meat diet to look like a super model. Don’t worry, she does pull off losing 10 pounds on it!

“I don’t know what’s more creepy,” Connie said. “You getting stalked by a killer or Lula walking around with a purse filled with pork chops. I’m feeling like I’m in Stephen King land.”

Evanovich, Janet (2008-05-14). To the Nines (Stephanie Plum, No. 9) (p. 214). St. Martin’s Press. Kindle Edition.

From babies to a mysterious game To the Nines did not disappoint. This book was filled with quotes that had me laughing non-stop. Not only am I loving how Janet Evanovich is playing out Stephanie and Morelli’s relationship but their back and forth banter about her job just adds another line of humor to the story.

I wasn’t sure what was going on at the other end of the connection. Either Morelli was smiling or else he was banging his head against his desk. I was going to go with smiling.
Evanovich, Janet (2008-05-14). To the Nines (Stephanie Plum, No. 9) (pp. 228-229). St. Martin’s Press. Kindle Edition.

I seem to feel the need to start the next book pretty quick just to see what happens. Onto Ten Big Ones!