Customer Reviews

Twelve Sharp (Stephanie Plum, No. 12)

5 star:		(243)
4 star:		(89)
3 star:		(43)
2 star:		(31)
1 star:		(16)

 

 

Is it funny? Yes.

Does it have a lot of romantic tension? Yes.

Does it have a good villain? Yes.

Is the mystery interesting? Yes.

Are the characters still fun? Yes.

What more do you want out of a summer beach book?

I've heard some reviewers bemoan Ms. Plum's lack of dynamic character development throughout the series. They would like to see Stephanie grow, or change, or mature, or develop, or choose between Ranger and Joe, or become a monk and move to Tibet, or join the Galactic Alliance and fight the Mucus Monsters of Planet Nostril.

I disagree. I think the formula is perfect. It's fun, fast-paced, and always good for some laughs.

You wouldn't ask Walt Disney to make Mickey Mouse more grown-up. Especially since Disney has been dead for several decades.

You shouldn't ask Janet Evanovich to change Stephanie, either. Both Stephanie, and Janet, are perfect the way they are, and I hope they stay that way for many more books.

This 12th edition of the often hilarious Plum exploits, was simply not as strong as prior efforts by the very capable Janet E. The dinner scenes at Stephanie's parents have become predictable, her infatuation with Ranger is becoming a sophmoric fantasy. The constant carnage thrust upon Plum is becoming predictable as well. I read the book in one sitting as is my habit, I was entertained but only mildly. I felt as if Janet E. had a deadline and rushed to meet it. She left out her sister and her sisters neurotic lawyer husband who are generally good for a few laughs. Her interaction with her hamster and her eating habits need to be notched up to a more sophisticated level. I will buy the next Plum novel, I only hope Janet E. puts a little more punch into it.

Incompetent bounty hunter Stephanie Plum continues to haul in perverts, shoplifters, and husband-stabbers who've missed their court dates, but everything changes when a woman shows up claiming to be Ranger's husband and gunning for Stephanie. When Ranger's daughter is kidnapped, Stephanie realizes that someone is posing as Ranger, trying to take over his identity. Since Ranger has something of a thing for Stephanie, that puts her firmly in the cross-hairs.

Stephanie wobbles between Joe Morelli and Ranger, wanders off to the beach to get away, takes a road trip with Ranger to Virginia, and deals with both her grandmother and Lula joining cross-dresser Sally Sweet's band. Meanwhile, Ranger has his entire organization on alert watching Stephanie and trying to find the faux-Ranger before he can strike again.

Author Janet Evanovich actually puts together a mystery/thriller plot that practically makes sense here, something a bit unusual in the Stephanie Plum series. Unfortuntely, for much of the novel, however, Evanovich seems to be going through the motions. We've got the weird perverts Stephanie has got to track down and re-bond--check. The love triangle between Stephanie, Morelli, and Ranger--check. Grandma Mazur being weird and thinking she's Mick Jagger--check. Lula going on about being an ex-ho--check. A car blowing up--check, but with a twist, watch for this one, guys. All of the pieces are here, but somehow it doesn't come together. I guess I just didn't see much character development, progress in the relationship, or really any sense of danger for Stephanie. Yes, she was getting shot at, but she didn't seem to care much--and I didn't either.

It's hard to go wrong with a Stephanie Plum book. Janet Evanovich sure can write. TWELVE SHARP is easy to pick up and hard to put down. And there are several laugh-out-loud moments to help make the book worthwhile. Still, I ended feeling like I'd eaten one of the donuts Stephanie was getting--sweet but not enough really there.

There's no denying that the Stephanie Plum books are a humorous, light read. However, I'm amazed at the repetitious nature of each book. If you're a fan of the series, think through previous books and tell me if they don't all include the following plot lines:

FAMILY LIFE:
(Plot Line 1): Stephanie attends at least one dinner at her parent's house in which: a) Grandma Mazur makes an off-color reference about something sexual in nature; b) Grandma Mazur tells the family of her plans to attend a funeral; c) Stephanie's dad grunts or rolls his eyes at Grandma Mazur but doesn't say much else; d) Stephanie's mother begs her to keep an eye on Grandma Mazur at the aforementioned funeral; or, e) all of the above.
(Plot Line 2): Grandma Mazur attends at least one funeral and attempts to open the lid of a casket. Stephanie has to remove Grandma Mazur from the premises and apologize to the funeral director.

PROFESSIONAL LIFE:
(Plot Line 3): Stephanie makes at least one unsuccessful attempt to apprehend an FTA.
(Plot Line 4): Lula accompanies Stephanie on one or more FTA busts; on at least one such excursion they stop to eat fattening food or go shopping.

PERSONAL SAFETY:
(Plot Line 5): One or more bad guys are stalking Stephanie, attempting to do her bodily harm, or attempting to kill her.
(Plot Line 6): Stephanie, even though her life is in danger (see item above), decides to disregard all safety precautions or advice provided by Joe and/or Ranger and therefore: a) drives to her parent's home, thus endangering their lives; b) drives to her apartment unarmed and alone; c) drives to a convenience store to satisfy a food craving; d) conducts her daily activities unprotected, as if no danger exists; or, e) all of the above.
(Plot Line 7): Stephanie, immediately after being: a) captured by a bad guy; b) assaulted by a bad guy; c) tortured by a bad guy; d) shot at by a bad guy; or e) all of the above, ponders telling Joe or Ranger about the incident but decides against doing so because she doesn't want them to think she's incompetent.
(Plot Line 8): Because of Stephanie's actions in the above plot lines, Joe and/or Ranger spend time looking for and worrying about Stephanie.
(Plot Line 9): Stephanie finds at least one dead body.

PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS:
(Plot Line 10): Stephanie spends time with Joe but also either kisses, fondles, or fantasizes about Ranger.
(Plot Line 11): Stephanie lies, sometimes through omission, to Joe about her relationship with Ranger.
(Plot Line 12): Stephanie spends time pondering whether she wants to be with Joe or Ranger.

Write a scene for each of these tried-and-true plot lines, intersperse them with a central mystery that involves a murder, an abduction, a missing person, or an FTA and you've got a Stephanie Plum book.

READERS, YOU SHOULD DEMAND MORE.

I dove into Twelve Sharp yesterday, read about 250 pages that day and finished it early this morning - so you can tell I love this book - This is a laugh out loud book. The plot mostly centers around Ranger and a Ranger wannabee who has kidnapped his daughter - he turns to Stephanie Plum to help him find the guy and Ranger's kid. The chemistry is hot between Stephanie and Joe, and Stephanie and Ranger - Both guys to swoon for - Stephanie's parents are a perfect foil for her and her Grandma Mazur - I think Grandma Mazur is a hoot - she gets in more trouble and tells it like it is - hilarious!!! Lula is more outrageous, Sally Sweet has her in his rock band, with bizarre concerts -
I could go on and on - But Ms. Evanovich keep going strong where some serial writers are starting to fade a little -
A delightful read!

Evanovich brings back Stephanie Plum and all of her cohorts (leaving out, thankfully, her sister & brood) in a tale that has Ranger seemingly cloned and hiding out from the cops, based on the crimes committed by whoever is impersonating him.

Bravo to Evanovich for not blowing up Stephanie's Mini-Cooper!

On a more serious note, this particular plot, about the kidnap of a child, hit a less over the top vein than some of the earlier Plum novels. And I must say, I loved the way the story evolved and the very real dangers and feelings the characters displayed in the story. No clowns for villains here.

I have read other reader's comments about the focus on sex while Ranger's child was missing and the seeming willingness that Stephanie had to cheat on Morelli. I don't dismiss those as concerns on some readers' part, I just didn't feel they detracted from the book or the plot. I enjoyed it thoroughly and read it in record time.

More, More!!!

Stephanie Plum fans know what to expect...a little adventure, a lot of LOL moments, and some great sexual tension.

Twelve Sharp delivers on all of these. Grandma, Sally, and Lula provide most of the LOL moments. The adventure this time is a personal one, for both Steph and Ranger. The sexual tension between Ranger, Steph, and Morelli is all the better for being more out in the open. Steph finally admits, at least to herself, how she feels. This is no way solves the triangle, but complicates it further.

The plotting this time around was stronger and tighter than in previous books. The action was enough to have me on the edge of my seat, and occasionally holding my breath.

I've seen a lot of reviews that want Steph to grow up, to choose between these two extraordinary men, etc. In short, they want her to be someone other than herself.

I like Stephanie Plum just the way she is, thanks. Do I want a resolution to the triangle? Sure...eventually. But I see no need to be a fanatic about it. Steph's life, as is, is giving me hours of enjoyment. Is there really a need to fix it? Not in my opinion.

And really, doesn't the fact that so many people have such passionate opinions about what these fictional characters should do just prove that JE's gotten it right?

I'll be eagerly awaiting Thirteen. It's going to be a long year.

When I first stumbled on the Stephanie Plum books, I was pleasantly surprised at the fresh ideas, the funny situations, the snappy dialogue, and less than perfect heroine.

However, after 12 books, the ideas start to run out and it seems more like you're reading a screen play for a sitcom than you're reading a book in a series.

This book, for me, just seems to have lost a lot of what made the first couple so great. The situation is pretty much the same kind as we always get: Stephanie is stalked, Ranger and Morelli strut around doing nothing, Stephanie has a show down with the stalker, and the stalker loses all while Stephanie eats bountiful amount of doughnuts, pizza, and beer. Even the recycled plot wouldn't be so bad if the book was funnier. The grandma Mazur scenes are still funny, but that's really all that's been supporting the hilarity of the book.

And, I have to agree with several other people. I am so tired of the Ranger/Morelli situation. The one reviewer who said Evanovich is fulfilling a female fantasy of two lovers is absolutely correct, and after 12 books, it's gotten old. It's stale, and you have to wonder why Morelli even puts up with her any more. I think the series would finally starten to freshen up and be interesting again if Evanovich would pick a man and stick with it.

I'm giving Evanovich one more book to turn the series around before I stop reading it entirely. I didn't even buy this one; I just borrowed it from the library. That is exactly what I recommend anyone who wants to read it do as well. Don't waste your money on the book. Grade: C

I love this series but as it has progressed it's losing it's edge. Twelve Sharp is an enjoyable read but I would check it out of the library or wait for paperback. There are still some laugh out loud scenes (adult bookstore) but is seems to me the author is falling back on her romance experience and is not focused enough on the mystery.

I am also sick to death of Ranger - the more she tries to make him likeable the less I like him. I would agree with other reviewers who were put off by Stephanie's willingness to cheat on Morelli - it doesn't make sense to me.

Stephanie is becoming less and less likeable which will pose a problem in future installments if we can't suspend disbelief and go along for the ride. The allure of two men vying for ones attention can only be interesting for so long. I am holding out hope that Stephanie will choose (Morelli) and we can move on to better plots.

The first half of this series (books 1-6) are great and are a must read for the brain candy crowd. I just found this particular installment to be somewhat disappointing.

I stopped reading these books after 7. The whole love triangle thing was getting too stupid for me. No man I know would stick around waiting for her dumb butt to make up her mind who she wants, especially two strong alpha types. Yet, my book group kept raving and raving about these books, so I picked up 12 Sharp and re-read the series.

This is the best one in awhile, loved her secondary charecters, but I still don't have the patience to sit and wait for who she is going to choose. And, it's annoying that she isn't more competent and a bounty hunter by now. Will I keep reading the series, probably, but I won't by anymore. I will read them at the library.