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alicetheowl's review against another edition
4.0
Seven Up had a lot of improvements over previous books, and seemed to recover from the Mid-Series Sag that the last book suffered from. However, I am still seeing a lot of warning signs that future books might not be as enjoyable.
Sign #1 was that there was ANOTHER useless background character added to the cast. The books seem to add one or two per book, and there's a fairly established pattern of who else shows up for new, non-repeating characters. So on that front, I worry that, by the most recent installment, most of the book consists of one zany adventure with a quirky side character after another, while Stephanie rolls her eyes. It's getting bogged down.
Sign #2 is that Stephanie doesn't learn. She keeps making the same mistakes, in love and in her professional life, with no sign that anything sinks in. She sometimes reflects on past mistakes, but she makes no moves to prevent their happening again. If she is STILL relying on another bounty hunter to carry a gun while she hides in a corner by the most recent book, I may throw it across the room.
Sign #3 is that, while Stephanie insists on sticking to the bounty hunter thing, I still don't see why. She, herself, admits she gets the guy by luck more often than skill, and she almost gives up on this bounty entirely. And yet, when challenged by her mother or Morelli, she digs in her heels.
And yet, the four-star rating rather points to the good outweighing the bad, doesn't it? There are a lot of good things about this book. There were several laugh-out-loud moments that don't involve madcap zaniness or slapstick. There was some character development, though, sadly, the side characters got the biggest dose. The plot developments and complications were logical, and had been built up in previous books to my satisfaction.
Two characters really stepped out of their previous roles, and it was done in a really interesting way. Neither overshadowed the overall plot, which was good, and it was nice to see something unexpected in these very paint-by-the-numbers (no pun intended) thrillers.
Obviously, there must be some appeal of these books, or they wouldn't have sold as well as they have and there wouldn't be so many. Still, I wish they were held to a slightly higher standard than selling well.
Sign #1 was that there was ANOTHER useless background character added to the cast. The books seem to add one or two per book, and there's a fairly established pattern of who else shows up for new, non-repeating characters. So on that front, I worry that, by the most recent installment, most of the book consists of one zany adventure with a quirky side character after another, while Stephanie rolls her eyes. It's getting bogged down.
Sign #2 is that Stephanie doesn't learn. She keeps making the same mistakes, in love and in her professional life, with no sign that anything sinks in. She sometimes reflects on past mistakes, but she makes no moves to prevent their happening again. If she is STILL relying on another bounty hunter to carry a gun while she hides in a corner by the most recent book, I may throw it across the room.
Sign #3 is that, while Stephanie insists on sticking to the bounty hunter thing, I still don't see why. She, herself, admits she gets the guy by luck more often than skill, and she almost gives up on this bounty entirely. And yet, when challenged by her mother or Morelli, she digs in her heels.
And yet, the four-star rating rather points to the good outweighing the bad, doesn't it? There are a lot of good things about this book. There were several laugh-out-loud moments that don't involve madcap zaniness or slapstick. There was some character development, though, sadly, the side characters got the biggest dose. The plot developments and complications were logical, and had been built up in previous books to my satisfaction.
Two characters really stepped out of their previous roles, and it was done in a really interesting way. Neither overshadowed the overall plot, which was good, and it was nice to see something unexpected in these very paint-by-the-numbers (no pun intended) thrillers.
Obviously, there must be some appeal of these books, or they wouldn't have sold as well as they have and there wouldn't be so many. Still, I wish they were held to a slightly higher standard than selling well.
zabeishumanish's review against another edition
4.75
Funny as fuck and a wonderful addition to Stephanie’s ever rotating love triangle.
julievluvs2read's review against another edition
3.0
Not great literature, but how I love this series! I laugh out loud at Stephanie, Lula and Bob's antics in every book!
isualum12's review against another edition
4.0
Classic Stephanie Plum book. It didn’t have as many cars being destroyed but hard a great flow to the book.
I liked this one for sure.
I liked this one for sure.
meesunology's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tweedleli's review against another edition
2.0
i don't know if i'm just getting tired of her books or if she just bored me with this one. it was very formulaic. i felt like i knew what was going to happend before it did. i'm not going to give up on her just yet, i'll try the next one.
leahkmci's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Absolutely brilliant, the overarching plot and the love triangle is killing me
reileene's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
melissariggs's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't care for this book as much-not sure why. So glad I have all the books in a stack....she does have a knack for crazy cliff hangers!
"BLOWN UP-All New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum has to do is bring in semi-retired bail jumper Eddie DeChooch. For an old man he's still got a knack for slipping out of sight--and raising hell. How else can Stephanie explain the bullet-riddled corpse in Eddie's garden? Who else would have a clue as to why two of Stephanie's friends suddenly vanished? For answers Stephanie has the devil to pay: her mentor, Ranger. The deal? He'll give Stephanie all the help she needs--if she gives him everything he wants...MESSED UP-As if things weren't complicated enough, Stephanie's just discovered her Grandma Mazur's own unmentionable alliance with Eddie. Add a series of unnerving break-ins, not to mention the bombshell revelation leveled by Stephanie's estranged sister, and Stephanie's ready for some good news. Unfortunately, a marriage proposal from Joe Morelli, the love of her life, isn't quite cutting it. And now--murder, a randy paramour, a wily mobster, death threats, extortion, and a triple kidnapping aside--Stephanie's really got the urge to run for her life.."
"BLOWN UP-All New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum has to do is bring in semi-retired bail jumper Eddie DeChooch. For an old man he's still got a knack for slipping out of sight--and raising hell. How else can Stephanie explain the bullet-riddled corpse in Eddie's garden? Who else would have a clue as to why two of Stephanie's friends suddenly vanished? For answers Stephanie has the devil to pay: her mentor, Ranger. The deal? He'll give Stephanie all the help she needs--if she gives him everything he wants...MESSED UP-As if things weren't complicated enough, Stephanie's just discovered her Grandma Mazur's own unmentionable alliance with Eddie. Add a series of unnerving break-ins, not to mention the bombshell revelation leveled by Stephanie's estranged sister, and Stephanie's ready for some good news. Unfortunately, a marriage proposal from Joe Morelli, the love of her life, isn't quite cutting it. And now--murder, a randy paramour, a wily mobster, death threats, extortion, and a triple kidnapping aside--Stephanie's really got the urge to run for her life.."