I picked this book because I’ve read a few other books in the Stephanie Plum series, and the odd, quirky characters of the series have become like family.

As usual, the book is entertaining and it offers a serious and unusual mystery to be solved. I grinned at Stephanie’s indecision between Ranger and Morelli, even though Morelli got the goods. Lula, Connie, and Vinnie were their typical selves. Also, a rich cast of somewhat normal but mostly strange and creepy characters showed up in the action of the story. Then, just when I noticed Grandma Mazur was missing, she made a cameo appearance toward the end.

In the heart of the story was a setting, a restaurant-style deli, where some of the action took place and from where three managers had been kidnapped, leaving a shoe behind. Since Red River Deli had been put up as collateral for a bond by a Harry the Hammer, Vinnie sent Stephanie and Lula to run it with Stephanie as the manager, neither of whom knew how to run a deli.

The suspense in the plot is, will Stephanie be kidnapped, also. Yet, Stephanie has a whole army of bodyguards, thanks to Ranger’s attentions and Morelli’s sanity.

The way the deli works is hysterical with the line cook Stretch and Raymond the deli worker whose green card is an iffy subject. When Lula takes over to make the sandwiches, the hysteria around food preparation escalates.

Added to all that are the outstanding bonds that Stephanie has to go after, which she does with gusto, however with debatable success.

Will the missing managers and the other kidnapped people be found safe and sound is for the readers to find out.

The writing is clear and direct and with a touch of humor.

This is one of those Stephanie Plum books I read for relaxation and fun, but to expect anything more from it would be an impertinence on my part.

relaxation.

the unusual crimes

Janet Evanovich has written the #1 New York Times bestsellers, the Stephanie Plum series. She also co-authored Fox and O’Hare series, the Knight and Moon series, and the Lizzy and Diesel series as well as twelve romance novels, the Alexandra Barnaby novels, Troublemaker graphic novel, and How I Write: Secrets of a Bestselling Author.

It is a fun read and the story's quirkiness tops everything else.

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Created Feb 04, 2020 at 1:30pm • Submit your own review...