Tag Archives: sleuth

Rogue Island by Bruce DeSilva (2010) – BR00119 (2018) – 🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪

The PolyBlog
December 17 2018

Plot or Premise

A reporter, Liam Mulligan, investigates a series of arsons around his hometown.

What I Liked

Mulligan makes an intriguing sleuth, and he has lots of interesting characters running around the woodwork. He is far from Sherlock Holmes, nor is he Spenser for Hire taking on the tough guys. A bit more Donald Lam or Trace…slightly incompetent, but not Plum-funny. His partners-in-sleuthing are generally good.

What I Didn’t Like

There are quite a few “foreshadowing” hints dropped, and it made me figure out well-in-advance sometimes when certain things were likely to happen and how. Although, to be fair, a couple never happened (red herrings). And I thought the bad guys were all relatively obvious for the overall plot and motive.

The Bottom Line

A decent introduction of a new sleuth.

Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich (2012) – BR00117 (2018) – 🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸

The PolyBlog
December 17 2018

Plot or Premise

Someone’s threatening Ranger and his soon-to-be-married army buddy, so he hires Stephanie to help with security for the bride.

What I Liked

Stephanie has some of her worst experiences yet and only once turns into a cupcake. The rest of the time, she’s rocking and rolling — missing patients, a Hawaiian tiki god, and a Yeti barely faze her. And when it’s all said and done, she’s like a machine wrapping things up.

What I Didn’t Like

The storyline with the guy after Ranger ends a bit quickly.

The Bottom Line

If you make Plum wear pink, it ain’t going to be pretty.

Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich (2011) – BR00116 (2018) – 🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪

The PolyBlog
July 22 2018

Plot or Premise

While on a flight back from a trip to Hawaii with both Ranger and Morelli (it’s complicated), Stephanie’s seatmate gets whacked during a layover and everyone thinks Stephanie knows something.

What I Liked

While the lighter side of the Plum series is the main draw, it is nice to see that once in awhile it goes a bit darker. Stephanie has real bruises and knife nickmarks, and Morelli and Ranger had a knock-down drag-out fight, with Stephanie doing the dragging (it is only told as a past event, but still good even if you don’t actually “see it”).

What I Didn’t Like

As always, there are a few too many incompetents running around, and too many coincidences.

The Bottom Line

A little darker than usual.

Smoking Seventeen by Janet Evanovich (2011) – BR00113 (2017) – 🐸🐸🐸⚪⚪

The PolyBlog
September 30 2017

Plot or Premise

Bodies are popping up on the construction lot for the new bonds office, and somehow it all connects to Stephanie.

What I Liked

While figuring out who is using the site as a body farm, they also get to arrest an old vampire, deal with a culinary matchmaking option, a bear, and Stephanie’s libido in overdrive.

What I Didn’t Like

Yet again, the premise is that creepy stalker dudes are amusing. And a solution that relies on the killer revealing all.

The Bottom Line

Another fun read, but not that amazing of a plot.

Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich (2010) – BR00112 (2017) – 🐸🐸🐸⚪⚪

The PolyBlog
September 29 2017

Plot or Premise

Vinnie has gambling debts, and if he doesn’t cough up $800K, he’s toast. Which would put Connie, Lulu and Stephanie out of work, so they pitch in to help. If they can keep him safe that long.

What I Liked

The various options to get money to save Vinnie were varied, fun and creative. And the plot involving the Bulgarian was decent.

What I Didn’t Like

It takes a LONG time to get to the solution, and the Hobbit ending was a bit over the top.

The Bottom Line

Still an enjoyable read, but the plot was thin.