Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich - Book Review

Janet Evanovich is cooking up some fun in her 15th Stephanie Plum novel Finger Lickin' Fifteen. The fun begins when Lula witnesses the decapitation of celebrity chef, Stanley Chipotle. Further complicating matters, Lula refuses to talk to any police except for Stephanie's on-again off-again beau Trenton cop Joe Morelli. Five bail skips, two murders, a traitor and Stephanie's bizarre bunch of co-workers and relatives lead to hard to follow story lines but the mayhem is a fun read.

Finger Lickin' Fifteen is a typical Stephanie Plum series novel with few surprises. The book features always amusing Lula, ex-ho and co-worker at the bail bonds office. When Lula hears of the million dollar reward for information leading to the capture of Chipotle's killers she enlists bumbling bounty hunter Plum's help. The blessedly inept killers come after Lula wielding a meat cleaver and Stephanie is pulled even further into the mess when Lula moves in. Custom made for plenty of disasters and absurd scenes, Granny Mazur's help is enlisted to concoct a recipe to enter in the barbeque contest Chipotle was in town to promote to help get in the mindset of the cook, search for clues, and set fires. Although neither can cook, Granny Mazur and Lula make for a hilarious team.

Meanwhile, Stephanie's boyfriend Joe Morelli takes a backseat after a blow up over peanut butter leaving the door open for her other love interest, steamy tough guy Ranger. Ranger recruits her help finding the traitor sabotaging his business, Rangeman Security. It appears as if the security leaks and resulting burglaries are an inside job and Ranger needs an outsider he can trust to investigate. Plenty of sexy verbal sparring ensues as Stephanie works days snooping around his business and nights sleeping in his bed while avoiding his arms after Lula's snoring becomes intolerable and, of course, fire leaves her apartment inhabitable. Mixing Stephanie and expensive cars is a recipe for disaster and she manages to blow up not one but two of Ranger's Porches but he doesn't seem to mind as long as the sparks are flying.

Evanovich has a real finesse for quirky characters and absurd laugh out loud situations. There are an almost dizzying cast of characters in the story including Plum's arch enemy and neighborhood slut Joyce, the lovable exhibitionist with a following among the neighborhood old ladies, and the Cluck-in-a-Bucket mascot along with plenty of other silly characters which further muddle the story lines while providing plenty of hilarity.

Although not the best Stephanie Plum novel this is an enjoyable read and thoroughly entertaining. If you are craving a light though delicious book Finger Lickin' Fifteen is sure to satisfy. The hardcover edition of Finger Lickin' Fifteen was published in June of 2009 by St. Martin's Press and retails for $27.95.