GOING ROGUE - Janet Evanovich


 We're in the 29th book in the Stephanie Plum series and Ms. Plum is just as energized and confused (romantically) as ever.

Monday's aren't the best of days on a good week, but when Stephanie shows up for work at Vinnie's Bail Bonds and Connie, the office manager isn't there, the day gets worse. Connie's as regular and dependable as a fine Swiss watch. A bit later Stephanie receives a phone call confirming that the day just gets worse and worse.  Connie has been kidnapped and the kidnappers want Stephanie to turn over a special coin. Said coin was left in the office as collateral for a man who was released on bond and then murdered.

Stephanie has no problem turning over a coin for Connie's life - but the coin isn't anywhere in the office. Stephanie and her 'team' - which include her grandmother, her friend Lula, her boyfriend Morelli, and her other boyfriend Ranger - have to track down the strange coin, learn its value, and make the exchange for Connie. The longer it takes for each step the more Connie's life is in danger.

This is a pretty straightforward action/mystery, with just the right amount of humor and sex to get it on the bestseller list for a few weeks once it comes out.

I haven't read very many Stephanie Plum novels (my wife has read them all) and I was a bit surprised at how direct this was - there were very few subplots or side stories (romances, red herrings, etc). The story does take an unexpected turn near the end and all we had was a brief sentence earlier in the book to hint at what would come. Personally, I'd like a few more clues dropped in so when the story takes its turn I can look back and realizes that the hints were there.

Though I haven't read a lot of Stephanie Plum novels, I know that a big part of the charm is Stephanie's romance with two men - the cop Morelli with whom she seems most at ease, and Ranger, the man who offers lots of excitement (in more ways than one). But even the romance(s) were pretty subdued in this book.

It won't take long to read this, and if you like the genre or are a Stephanie Plum fan, you'll be glad to pick this up.

Looking for a good book? Going Rogue by Janet Evanovich is a quick read with lots of thrills. It would make a great summer beach or winter cabin read.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

3-1/2 stars

* * * * * *

Going Rogue

author: Janet Evanovich

series: Stephanie Plum #29

publisher: Atria Books

ISBN: 1668003058

hardcover, 336 pages

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