A Plum of a Mystery

Intellect Genre: Mystery

Author: Janet Evanovich
Title: One for the Money
Genre: Books to movies; Chick lit; First person narratives; Mystery stories
Publication Date: 1994
Number of Pages: 290 pgs.
Geographical Setting: Trenton, New Jersy area
Time Period: contemporary.
Series: Stephanie Plum
 
Storyline: Character-driven

Tone: Funny; Upbeat

Writing Style: Conversational; Witty

Annotation:

Out of work as a lingerie buyer and desperate for cash, Stephanie Plum appeals to her cousin Vinnie for a job in his bail bonds office. Plum narrates her own story as a rookie skip tracer struggling to learn her trade. Some situations are graphically described. Self-depreciating descriptions of the events and people in her life pepper the story with both humor and pathos.

Reservations: This is not the best book in the series, nor is it as entertaining as later Plum novels. One for the Money let Evanovich rough out the regular players in Stephanie’s life. Plum’s early encounters with one of the felons she wants to apprehend and interactions with another particularly violent character are described graphically, including abusive and torturous behavior, creating an element of suspense and genuine fear for her safety. Much street language is used. Sexual situations are described frankly. This is not a gentle read, though it's many humorous moments keep the general mood lighter.

Subject Headings: Plum, Stephanie (Fictitious character) > Fiction.
Women detectives > Fiction.
Bounty hunters > Fiction.
Trenton (N.J.) Fiction.

Appeal: strong female protagonist, humor, first person narrative, entertaining characters, unpredictable situations, fast pace.

Three terms that best describe this book: Humorous, Entertaining, Street wise.


Read Alikes:

• Cabot, Meg. (2006). Size 12 is not fat.
• Crusie, Jennifer. Agnes and the hitman.
• Martin, Nancy. (2002). How to murder a millionaire: a Blackbird Sisters mystery.

 
Nonfiction tie-ins:

• Gaines, Ann. (1999). Private investigators and bounty hunters . Austin Sarat, general editor. Philadelphia : Chelsea House Publishers.
• Laney, Joseph and Mobley, Cyn. (2004). Gotcha! : tales from a black-belt bounty hunter. Guilford, Conn. : Lyon's Press, c2004.
• Chapman, Duane with Morton, Laura. (2007). You can run, but you can't hide. New York : Hyperion, 2007.