I'm a huge fan of Janet Evanovich, so it pains me to say this... The Stephanie Plum series may be running out of steam.
Your enjoyment of Lean Mean Thirteen will be enhanced by having read a couple of the earlier books, so that you know the full background to Stephanie's ex-husband Dickie Orr. However, if, like me, you have devoured all twelve of the previous novels, you may find Evanovich's latest a little... Samey.
The plot is enticing enough - Dickie Orr has gone missing and Stephanie is the Trenton police's prime suspect - and there is the usual assortment of hilarious rogues. This time, Stephanie is trying to apprehend a taxidermist with a penchant for exploding animals and a grave-robber. Plus, she has Morelli trying to keep her safe (fat chance, Joe) and her nemesis Joyce Bernhardt following her every move.
I think the main problem for me was one of character development. There wasn't any. Stephanie still loses her skips by going to their front door while they escape out the back, Lula still adds (more) slapstick, and absolutely nothing changes in the Ranger/Morelli situation.
As the characters felt more like parodies of themselves, I found I wasn't as emotionally-involved as usual. I struggled to believe that Stephanie was a true suspect in Dickie's disappearance and hardly batted an eyelid at the nut job with a flame thrower. Which doesn't seem right.
However, Evanovich is still a very funny writer and Lean Mean Thirteen had me laughing out loud more than once. I'm giving it a four out of five, as I would hate to put anyone off trying this series, but long-time readers consider yourselves warned...
Rating: 4/5
Like this? Try: One for the Money by Janet Evanovich
