One for the Money: A Stephanie Plum Novel (Hardcover)

Now, Joseph Morelli, a sexy hunk and ex-cop, on the run from a murder charge, and our Stephanie have a history that goes way back to childhood. When she was six years old and the precocious Morelli was just a few years older, he taught her to play "choo-choo" in the Morelli garage. When she was 16 she lost her virginity to Morelli on the floor of the Tasty Pastry Bakery, after working hours, and then didn't see him again for 3 years. When she finally did see him, 36 months later, hanging on the corner of Giovichinni's Meat Market, she ran him over with her father's Buick. He lived to tell the tale.

Ms. Evanovich also introduces us to a cast of wonderfully outrageous characters who continue to populate her subsequent books: Ranger, a 2nd generation Cuban American, ex-Special Forces, creative genius of a bounty hunter...and also very hunky, especially when wearing his all black outfit with leather accessories; Ramirez, a psychopathic prize fighter who is too scary to be much fun; Grandma Mazur, Stephanie's maternal grandmother, and a pistol-packin,' roller blading clotheshorse she is! Fortunately, she is probably the majority contributor to Stephanie's gene pool; Lula, a 250 pound-plus hooker, who aspires to be a bounty hunter & is working on her resume; etc.

And of course there's the mystery...because this is a mystery. But I won't spoil that for you. Just run to your local library, bookstore...or Amazon.com, of course, & get this chock-full of great reading gem of a book. Also, beware!! Janet Evanovich has 8 more Stephanie Plum books on the market to date, and you won't want to miss any of them - they're as addictive as Giorgio Kostantinos--"The Quest"!

ONE FOR THE MONEY is a mystery set in New Jersey in a neighborhood referred to as "the burg." Stephanie is poor and desperate for a job as she recently lost her position as a lingerie salesperson. Her mother suggests she contact "Cousin Vinnie," a bond agent who is looking for help. She agrees to become a bounty hunter. She goes from selling underwear to toting guns, pepper spray, and a stun gun to track down hardened criminals. Did I mention that she is desperate?

Her first job is to bring in a cop on the run, a man who is dangerous, and who, as an 8-year old boy once talked little Stephanie into letting him play "choo-choo" in her panties. He's a tough-as-nails vice cop who is wanted for murder. She agrees to chase him down because the money is irresistible, but it's a big job for her very first time out.

I don't want to give too much away -- it is, after all, a mystery. On to my opinions . . .

The book is written in first-person, which I have found to be annoying in other books, but it works great for Evanovich's tales. As I read through the story, which goes REALLY FAST, I found myself feeling like I was Stephanie and whenever she was scared, angry, or amused, I was right there with her.

ONE FOR THE MONEY has some of the craziest, most colorful secondary characters that I've ever met. Grandma Mazur is her -- yes, you guessed it! -- grandma, but is like none other on the earth. Her mother could drive anyone to drink, but her concern for Stephanie is apparent to everyone throughout the book. Lula the hooker is an interesting person that makes you think Stephanie is actually quite normal. Ranger, the seasoned bounty hunter who pulls Stephanie's butt out of trouble through the book, is quite a guy.

I took a chance and deviated away from my usual reading choices -- usually pure romance. I was blown away by the quality writing and hysterical scenes in Evanovich's debut book. I can't wait to read more about Ms. Plum and the burg from hell. Pick up a copy of ONE FOR THE MONEY. You'll be glad you did. Another book I need to recommend -- very much on my mind since I purchased a "used" copy off Amazon is "THE LOSERS CLUB: Complete Restored Edition" by Richard Perez, an odd, strangely entertaining little novel I can't stop thinking about.