One For The Money: A Stephanie Plum Novel

Janet Evanovich

Feb 1999 · Stephanie Plum Book 1 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

Discover where it all began—the first “snappily written, fast-paced, and witty” (USA TODAY) novel in the beloved Stephanie Plum series featuring a feisty and funny heroine who “comes roaring in like a blast of very fresh air” (The Washington Post), from Janet Evanovich, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dirty Thirty.

Meet Stephanie Plum, a bounty hunter with attitude. In Stephanie’s opinion, toxic waste, rabid drivers, armed schizophrenics, and August heat, humidity, and hydrocarbons are all part of the great adventure of living in Jersey.

She’s a product of the “burg,” a blue-collar pocket of Trenton where houses are attached and narrow, cars are American, windows are clean, and (God forbid you should be late) dinner is served at six.

Out of work and out of money, Stephanie blackmails her bail-bondsman cousin Vinnie into giving her a try as an apprehension agent. Stephanie knows zilch about the job requirements, but she figures her new pal, el-primo bounty hunter Ranger, can teach her what it takes to catch a crook. Her first assignment: nail Joe Morelli, a former vice cop on the run from a charge of murder one. Morelli’s the inamorato who charmed Stephanie out of her virginity at age sixteen. There’s still powerful chemistry between them, so the chase should be interesting…and could also be extremely dangerous.

Ratings and reviews

Stephanie Plum has been out of work long enough to force her to sell off furniture, appliances and jewelry just to survive. After telling her parents that she has been out of work for six months they suggest she visit her cousin Vinny the bail bondsman for a clerical job. Reluctantly she does so and finds out from his secretary the position has been filled. She also lets her know how much she could earn as a bounty hunter. The biggest payoff is to be made if she can capture someone who has periodically come into her life to torment her, Officer Joseph Morelli. Bringing him in would net her $10,000. When Vinny refuses to give her the job she threatens to reveal certain secrets to his wife. Vinny gives in. This is where Stephanie’s life takes a dangerous turn. Inexperienced as a bounty hunter and determined to get Morelli may just get her killed. I put off reading this book every time something “more interesting” came along. This author was recommended to me by three different teachers who know I predominantly read Young Adult books. I was very pleased with the book and will definitely read more. She does an excellent job of keeping you on the edge of your seat as you get caught up in the action.

Brain candy at it's finest. Janet Evanovich developed quirky, heartwarming characters that make you laugh out loud. Don't expect to learn any new words (unless you don't know that asphalt is called macadam), but you will laugh out loud. There are 14 in the series and more to come, so you better get reading. But pace yourself. Janet makes us wait no less than a year between releases of Stephanie's adventures. Your eyes will roll. You'll shake your head. You'll find a place in your heart for a hamster. You'll realize that your family isn't as crazy as you might have thought! Enjoy!

While she may never be studied in the nations colleges and universities Ms Evanovitch definitely has a talent for keeping a reader interested. This effort has me wondering what sort of trouble Ms Plum may get herself into next. I will continue to read on so I suppose that One For the Money may not go down in the literary world as a classic it should be on the literary "Must Read" list. Just the opinion of an average reader. I should also say that it was recommended and even highly praised by my mother.

About the author

Over the last twenty-six years, Janet Evanovich has written a staggering forty-five New York Times bestsellers. In addition to her #1 bestselling Stephanie Plum novels and many other popular books, Janet is the author of The Recovery Agent, the start of a blockbuster new series.