Finger Lickin’ Fifteen by J. Evanovich

A small warning…I have to admit to some bias when it comes to the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich.  From the very first line of the very first book in this series, I was completely and totally hooked.  It is by far one of my all time favorites and I have a hard time understanding why anyone wouldn’t like it.  The only thing I will admit to is being disappointed in To The Nines.  Yes some might complain that they can be goofy and lack some creativity.  I mean how many cars can one person destroy?  However, I love to suspend reality and go along for the ride.  There is not a single book that hasn’t caused me to literally laugh out loud several times.  Plus, the cast of new and reoccurring characters that show up in each book are simply priceless.  To me these books are a pure guilty pleasure and a fun read.  So with that being said…

Stephanie’s working overtime tracking felons for the bonds office at night and snooping for security expert Carlos Manoso, aka Ranger, during the day. Can she hunt down two killers, a traitor, and five skips, keep her grandmother out of the sauce, and solve Ranger’s problems and not jump his bones?

Janet Evanovich has a knack for starting each Stephanie Plum book with an attention grabbing and often amusing opening line and I’m happy to say that Finger Lickin’ Fifteen was no different.  My two favorite characters in the Stephanie Plum series are hands down Lula and Grandma Mazur, so I was excited to see them pairing up again in Finger Lickin’ Fifteen.  Their mishaps alone could keep me entertained for hours.  From creating a BBQ sauce that gives everyone who eats it “the runs” to wanting to name their BBQ cook off team the “Flaming Assholes”, these two are priceless.

So first you have the awesomeness that is Lula and Grandma Mazur and then you throw in a skip that goes around the neighborhood flashing old women, a cross dressing fire fighter who moonlights as Mr. Clucky in his spare time, a few appears by Joyce Barnhardt and a murder that has a meat cleaver and a high-pitched giggle.  How can you go wrong with that?  Evanovich has a knack for creating characters that are unique and entertaining.

On top of everything else we must not forget one of fiction’s all time great love triangles.  The chemistry between Stephanie and her men Joe Morelli and Ranger is as evident as ever.  The fact that Stephanie is helping Ranger out throws a wrench into her hot and cold relationship with Morelli and ups the heat factor between her and Ranger.  I honestly can’t blame her for being somewhat torn between both men.  Deep down she’s obviously in love with Morelli and she in lust with Ranger, but who cares?  They both sound sexy as hell to me, so why not let her have both? ;)  Normally I find love triangles to be overdone and boring, but for some reason not this one.  I can see the appeal of both men and while I ultimately want her with Morelli, I’m enjoying the “who will she end up with?” ride while it lasts.

All in all I definitely recommend Finger Lickin’ Fifteen to fans of the Stephanie Plum series.  I doubt fans will be disappointed in Janet Evanovich’s latest installment.  In fact it’s been awhile since I’ve enjoyed one of the Plum books quite this much.  Over 15 books later and Evanovich still has the ability to create a story that keeps me wanting more!

Read Order:
Normally I would include this, but the read order is pretty obvious.

Also reviewed by:
Red Lady’s Reading Room
A Chick Who Reads
Ms. Bookish
Carolynn’s Bookshelf
Lesa’s Book Critiques