Product Description

The twelfth in Janet Evanovich's series of bestselling novels featuring her lovable and hapless heroine, Stephanie Plum. The unforgettable characters, non-stop action, high-stakes suspense, and sheer entertainment of her Stephanie Plum novels define Janet Evanovich as unique among today's writers. This Stephanie Plum bestseller is packed full of Janet Evanovich's trademark wit, adventure and sly comedy.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #200694 in Books
• Published on: 2006-06-20
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 288 pages

Review
'Evanovich, author of the wonderful Stephanie Plum novels, is a clever writer with a strong streak of laugh out loud sardonic humour.' -- Melbourne Weekly 20060626 'Nearly 300 pages of hoot-inducing entertainment.' -- Sun Herald, Australia 20060830 'A hilarious, machine gun-paced crime caper featuring bounty hunter and doughnut devotee Stephanie Plum. It's clever, slick, funny and fun, with a cast of highly likeable, albeit mostly loopy characters and a full speed- ahead plot... TWELVE SHARP is pure gold.' -- Sunday Morning Post, Australia 20060830

About the Author
Janet Evanovich now lives in New Hampshire but, like Stephanie Plum, grew up in New Jersey. She has won major crime fiction awards for her Stephanie Plum novels: ONE FOR THE MONEY was presented with the Crime Writers' Association John Creasey Award and the Dilys Award, TWO FOR THE DOUGH won the CWA Last Laugh Award and THREE TO GET DEADLY was awarded the CWA Silver Dagger for 1997. Her web site address is www.evanovich.com.

Customer Reviews

Serious Fun as Stephanie Plays Decoy for Ranger
Only a Stephanie Plum novel would cause some to complain because the plot had an actual mystery and intrigue in it. That shows how much we've been spoiled by Janet Evanovich's comic touch. We come to the new books in the series for the entertainment (much like people once did for Charlie Chaplin) and we're surprised when serious themes emerge.

I thought that Twelve Sharp was by far the most impressive novel in the series. The story-telling moves beyond Pink Panther comedy into dealing with the serious consequences of actions we take. At the same time, the book goes down very smoothly.

The serious side is well done. Stephanie finds herself stalked by a young woman with a gun she doesn't mind using who claims to be Ranger's wife. What's that all about? Stephanie is also at risk for being kidnapped. And then Ranger's daughter is missing. It's a nicely complicated mystery and is unraveled in fine fashion. While this part of the story is not yet up to Dame Agatha's best, it's more than satisfying.

The character development of Stephanie and Ranger through the plot is quite remarkable in this story. In the past, Ranger has been the Superman of mystery who could do no wrong. She's been in his thrall . . . but kept at a distance only by his self-restraint. So why has he been self-restrained? In this story, we learn more about Ranger and begin to sense his vulnerabilities. An unexpected pregnancy made Ranger a father at a young age. Since then, he's met his financial responsibilities and kept his distance from similar complications. But that all comes unglued when his daughter is kidnapped and Ranger is the suspect the police are looking for. As a result, Ranger has to go undercover. Ranger's only hope of solving the kidnapping is through Stephanie's efforts because the crumb also wants Stephanie. As a result, Stephanie finds herself in deeper peril than ever before. Both of the men in her life want to protect her. Oops! That's certainly one serious complication that a woman who loves two men never thought about. How do you keep them apart when there's danger?

To me, the best comedy in the series comes when Stephanie and Lula (the retired lady of the evening) team up to bring in fugitives. They are the Laurel and Hardy of bounty hunters. In this book, Stephanie's solutions turn out to work best when she follows her heart rather than trying trickery. Because Vinnie has been taking chances, there are more fugitives than usual, and several of them are pretty dangerous. With Ranger away, Stephanie and Lula will play.

The next best comedy comes when Grandma Mazur gets into the action either at the funeral home or in chasing men. This book has some of each, as Grandma decides to join the band that Sally Sweet and Lula are forming. There are new, friendlier owners (two gay men) at the funeral home, and this change opens up new comic possibilities.

A new comic dimension is added when Connie and Stephanie decide to hire some more bounty hunters. Naturally, this brings Stephanie's old nemesis, Joyce, into play for some good moments.

So, whose bed will Stephanie end up in and with whom? You'll just have to read to find out. I have to leave that important mystery untouched.

Great fun, but nothing new
Twelve Sharp is characterised by the Evanovich formula; laugh out loud funny in parts, smart dialogue and larger than life characters. The story formula is on safe ground in this book and fans will find it satisfyingly familiar - Stephanie's life is in danger, Ranger is mysterious and irresistable, Morelli sexy and loyal, Lula outrageous, grandma crazy. Those hoping for something to tie up the love triangle or move forward the dynamic will be left disappointed, although there is a tease towards the end. Vintage Stephanie Plum and I thoroughly enjoyed it; on completion I immediately turned back to page 1 to start all over again.

Another brilliant episode
Some may have found last previous books, like 10 and 11 frustrating. I know I have! Although Stephanie gets a new case and solves it with the usual hilarious high jinks (and often losing multiple cars), her personal life and that of the people around her stay still. So, when I read this, in one sitting, finishing some time around the dawn chorus I was more than happy.

Evanovich does not tie up any loose ends, so she maintains interest for the rest of the series, long may it reign! Lula, for instance, finds an additional occupation and manages to drags members of Stephanie and Rangers crews along for the ride. Therefore, developing her own stand alone character, independent of working with Stephanie.

As said in other reviews, we are introduced to some new characters. The 'love triangle' is taken up a notch. And Tank speaks more than 5 words! All of this to the backdrop to a child kidnapping close to Rangers' heart.

Any one who love the Stephanie Plum series will love this. Any one looking for suspense and more than a few laughs along the way should definitely get in these books.