Top Secret Twenty-One (Stephanie Plum)
By Janet Evanovich
Rating: 1.5/5 Stairs
I finished listening to this Stephanie Plum at least a month ago and returned the audio CD back to the library. I should have written the review up immediately, because now the plot details are fuzzy in my head. And here’s why. Because so many plot points are recycled.
Now, I’ve got a seven point list that happens in every Stephanie Plum novel, which I first established in my Smokin’ Seventeen review. (I’m sure there are more recycled plots, maybe I’ll expand this list on my next Plum read.)
- Stephanie and Lula always make at least one ridiculous capture where the humor is no longer funny.
- Stephanie’s car is blown up
- Someone is after Stephanie
- Stephanie can’t decide between Morelli and Ranger
- Stephanie’s mother is either ironing, cooking, and/or sneaking alcohol
- Stephanie’s grandmother is at a viewing at the funeral parlor
- Stephanie is eating donuts and/or Cluck-in-a-Bucket
My memory may be fuzzy, but I do remember hitting all seven of these at least once.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again (just like these Plum novels – wink, wink) – if you’ve read the beginning of this series, you’ve read ‘em all. Ms. Evanovich would do her readers a great service if she would just have Stephanie choose between Morelli and Ranger, and take the next step in her life.
…and I think this means just two Plums to go! #7 (no audio at my library, so who knows when I’ll get to this one) and #18.
Fun Bonus – Visit TimeyWimeyBooks Goodreads Review for their Stephanie Plum Drinking Game! But don’t actually do the drinking game while you are reading a Stephanie Plum novel. I guarantee you will give yourself alcohol poisoning.
Hidden Staircase 
I read the first few and then stopped with this series. Guess that was a good thing! 🙂
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I should stop but I am determined to finish. 🙂
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You’re so close…I’d probably be the same way. 😀
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Oh I tried to listen to this one earlier this year. I didn’t make it far. The charm was gone for me. I used to like them so much but either my tastes have changed or they started to decline even more. I suspect both. Great review and love the seven points!!
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I don’t think it’s your taste – I loved the beginning too. But as the books have gone on the hijinks have gotten out of control and the plot points recycled.
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I think I read the first 6 or 7 and stopped because it was starting to feel repetitive and I wanted her to pick Joe or Ranger and be done with it. Specifically I wanted her to pick Joe. Ranger seemed a little sketchy. I’m kind of surprised to hear that it’s kind of in the same loop that it was in 12+ years ago. I don’t think I’ll be restarting this series anytime soon but I might try it in audio because they were a lot of fun.
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Yeah she’s got to pick between them. And get some new plot points.
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You forgot Tastykakes and Stephanie feeding her hamster (who’s hiding in a soup can) inappropriate food. 😉 I am totally with you on the series being tired and redundant — and yet I will keep on reading all the books until Janet Evanovich stops writing them! Even though they’re ultra-predictable, there’s something comforting and fun and easy about going back to a place and characters I know so well.
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Yes!!! I will add those two next time. Ha!
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