Three to Get Deadly - Janet Evanovich

Three to Get Deadly is the third book in the popular Stephanie Plum crime series by Janet Evanovich.  We've already reviewed One for the Money and Two for the Dough if you'd like to read our thoughts on the first two books.

Summary: A "saintly" old candy-store owner is on the lam -- and bounty hunter extraordinaire Stephanie Plum is on the case.  As the body count rises, Stephanie finds herself dealing with dead drug dealers and slippery fugitives on the chase of her life.  And with the help of eccentric friends and family, Steph must see to it that this case doesn't end up being her last...  (Summary from book - Image from www.traderscity.com )

My Review:  Stephanie really wants people to stop shooting at her.  Ever since she got assigned to track down the neighborhood nice guy Moses Bedemier, people keep trying to knock her off and it's starting to freak her out.  On top of that, Stephanie is having the worst luck with cars and Joe Morelli, her on-again-off-again slice of action is playing things way to cool -- almost like they're, ugh, friends.  With the help of Ranger, Lula, and the occasional informant, Stephanie is on the case and, as usual, the body count is rising.

Three to Get Deadly was an easy read.  It didn't require a lot of my time, attention, or brain power (which is a good thing, because I seem to be running low on all three).  I enjoyed the story, but more because it was easy-on-the-brain than because it was any good.  Chances are, if you've made it this far in the series, you aren't a particularly sensitive reader.  This novel has just as much profanity and sexually suggestive (or blatant) dialogue as its predecessors.  Once again, Stephanie ends up in hot, steamy water with Morelli and while I am rooting for them, as a couple, I don't necessarily feel like I need to read everything about it.  Maybe just a little.  Like some really nice kissing.

Stephanie Plum is such a fun character -- she eats junk food, oozes sarcasm, loves her hamster, and is Jersey to the core.  Then, just when I think I've got her figured out, she drops in a little Shakespeare and I'm forced to reevaluate.  Ranger also plays more of a role in this novel than in the other two and it looks like the author is setting him up to become a romantic character as well.  Hmmm... I'm not opposed to that at all.  For now, though, he remains a tough-as-nails bounty hunter and Stephanie's go-to back up for sticky situations.

I'm not sure where I'm going to go with this series.  I borrowed the first three from Heather and I might read the rest, or I might not.  Either way, I won't lose sleep over it.  Obviously, that says something but I'll let you draw your own conclusions.

My Rating: 3 Stars

For the sensitive reader:  Pervasive profanity and sexually suggestive (or blatant) dialogue, some violence.

Sum it up:  An easy read, but nothing special.