Janet Evanovich’s second series, “Two for the Dough”, is about Stephanie Plum, the bounty hunter.
After losing her job as a lingerie buyer at a department store, Stephanie found herself financially in crisis. She was unsure of what to do and how to make money. She stumbled upon an opportunity to make commission by chasing down people who weren’t interested in being found. She began her career working for Vinnie, her cousin who owned a bail bond office.
Stephanie in “Two for the Dough,” is not competent or skilled in her job. She lacks the knowledge and expertise required to capture people who have jumped bail. She is aware that the work can be dangerous, and she is scared to death. However, she continues to accept files as she is motivated by poverty.
Stephanie receives a file from Kenny Mancuso, who has killed his best friend. Kenny, a New Jersey working class man who suddenly becomes very wealthy without any explanation. Stephanie also accepts a contract. Her maternal grandmother is a crucial role in her success.
Stephanie is hired by a funeral home manager to locate a large number mysteriously missing caskets. As a decoy, Stephanie uses Grandma Mazur to act as a guide as they go from one funeral home after another pretending that they are there for viewings. They really want to find information that could help them locate the caskets, and possibly Kenny.
Joe Morelli is the vice-cop in Evanovich’s first Plum novel. He has been cleared of murder charges and now faces Stephanie. He is a distant relative to Kenny, and is eager to capture him as part his job.
As the characters live the everyday aspects of their lives, but also include the dangers and excitement associated with their jobs, the plot twists and turns.
Stephanie and her grandmother carry guns. There is a danger that either they won’t use them, or they will misuse them. They run the risk of being hurt or even killed by people who aren’t interested in what they are hiding.
Stephanie’s parents are supportive but also stressful in her life. Although she sometimes finds it irritating when her parents say and do things, Stephanie does often turn to them for the things she needs – food and laundry, and a warm bed.
Evanovich once again combines humor and crime in an intriguing and unexpected way. Evanovich’s characters are strong, and her ability to grab the reader’s attention from the first page is remarkable. My emotions were close to the surface as I read. Sometimes I laughed, and other times I felt the real fear that the plot required.
Evanovich is a great author. I love Evanovich. Since reading the first three novels, I’ve ordered many more. I am quickly becoming a fan of this author!
