Two for the Dough: Stephanie Plum, Book 2

Love the humor and fast pace of this series. Great characters come quickly to life. Looking forward to reading the entire set!

Packaging makes a difference. The cover on this audiobook uses fat letters in bright primary colors, and the manner of reading by Lori Petty suggests a middle school student, 13 going on thirty. The result is that I remember this story in pictures, as if it had been a comic book in the style of the classic Tin-Tin adventures. That is a tribute to the Author's vivid descriptions of place and person.Inspired by the Author's volume "How I Write," I picked up this, the second of her lengthening series (twenty-some) of Stephanie Plumb novels. The first, "One for the Money," was too expensive, but the subsequent ones are very reasonable, and I enjoyed the present reading well enough to pick up "Three to Get Ready," also read by Lori Petty.I listened to an abridged version and that always leaves me wondering what I missed. On the other hand, a three-disc book (2 and a half hours) goes quickly and is a suitable for audio-listeners afraid of commitment, or who want a change of pace after finishing a volume from Durant's "Story of Civilization."It is an action-packed story with lots of colorful characters, narrated from the protagonist's point of view. Some are in the middle world between ethnic background and thoroughly American, sharing a long history in the Trenton New Jersey neighborhood. As a "bounty hunter," a private agent who finds those who have skipped out on bail for the bonding company, Stephanie learns on the job and responds to surprising developments in equally surprising ways. A man refuses to go with her to court, and moons her in his living room, in front of his wife, no less- so Stephanie tasers him in the rear and he slumps on the floor. Note how the problem shifts from finding, to persuading, to transporting, and similar sequential chains extend through the story leading the reader to wonder either what will happen next, or how she will get out of this one. The dynamics are similar to detective stories but with more focus on events than a given problem.Our main character, Ms. Plumb, is not given to reflection and is kept so busy by her job and family, and occasional shopping or romantic interest, that she doesn't have time to think much beyond the job. The injuries and threats are so numerous and attention grabbing that she doesn't have time to hurt. She is running in heels the day after she had suffered some injury, and the attempt on her grandmother's life is a problem to be solved rather than the crisis it would be for most of us. It recalls cartoon fights where the character is clunked on the head hard enough to make him unconscious and the next moment he is as good as new. All this stuff is entertaining, and harmless as long as we realize that it isn't real.It struck me that there are no real adults in the story, no principled individuals, just people to accommodate to, whether your mom's demand that you have dinner on Sunday, or the oily funeral director, or the police guy who comes on in the middle of a stake out. Part of our protagonist's problem solving skills is her willingness to cut corners whether it is trespassing, assault, lying, or "borrowing." What we admire as "pluck" may actually be what Nietzsche described as the "Superman" who we admire and follow because he (or in this case she) does what we would scruple to do.Interestingly, there is an absence of feminist consciousness. Our protagonist is too busy trying to pay the rent to entertain thoughts of solidarity with other women. And she is thoroughly independent and self-reliant, untroubled by doubts as to her attractiveness, which she takes for granted. This is literature for working people. It is their experiences in service industry, fixing cars, embalming bodies, enforcing law, and collecting bills that are portrayed here. One part of the series' success is that the stories reflect that often-neglected world where people are hustling to make a living, more concerned with people and events rather than ideas and ideals.In sum, the story is vivid, entertaining, a little shallow, but colorful, an enjoyable comic book experience.

Good writing, good story, excellent characterization. I am on the third series and am looking forward to reading the rest of them. I can't wait to find out what happens between Stephanie and Morelli. It's like a soap opera in a book with a good back story.

I love Stephanie plum

Started off slow and didn’t get interesting until about half way through. Plus I miss Diesel as in the previous book.

Grandma is not a good shot — but she shoots anyway with her borrowed 45 Magnum, heedless of where the bullets go. This is just one exciting scene the reader can look forward to.Stephanie Plum, bounty hunter, is after Kenny Mancuso, because the fee for catching this nasty bail jumper is big. But Kenny very quickly decides he’s sick of Stephanie’s pursuit, and vows to do bad things to her and her grandma. Stephanie loves her grandma — so it’s all out war.As usual with this series, Two for the Dough is laugh-out-loud funny and Stephanie’s family is a delight. And the relationship between Stephanie and Morelli the cop is lots of fun. Stephanie acquires a great car in this book too.

And it’s still fun! I didn’t remember Granma Mazar having such an active part! And didn’t remember how Lula came to be. Great beginning.

Arrived on time. As described.

I don’t like it when the main character doesn’t know what they are doing. It is a nice read to pass the time though.

Ich mag den Stil von Janet Evanovich. Ich denke Ihr Witz kommt aber so richtig nur in Englisch rüber. Diese Geschichte ist wieder sehr sehr kurzweilig, abwechslungsreich und super witzig. Hab das Buch angefangen und nicht wieder weggelegt.

Very good plot, character development... and its humorous asides are the cherry on the cake! Looking forward to the next one.

I originally read the first book in the Stephanie Plum series because it was a Christmas gift and love the book so much I needed to get this, the second of the series. This book was so good, a definite page turner and when I was finished it left me feeling like I couldn't start the third fast enough. Janet Evanovich is a writer who grabs your attention immediately and before you know it you on the last page wishing for more!

Book 2 carried through where number one ended, just loved this book. Have read all sixteen and the between the plum books. I can honestly say that I have not been disappointed with any of them. Great storylines, brilliant, funny, oddball characters. Enjoy