Explosive Eighteen

A Stephanie Plum Novel

By: Janet Evanovich

Narrated by: Lorelei King

Before Stephanie can even step foot off Flight 127, Hawaii to Newark, she’s knee deep in trouble. Her dream vacation turned into a nightmare, and she’s flying back to New Jersey solo. Worse still, her seatmate never returned to the plane after the L.A. layover. Now he’s dead, in a garbage can, waiting for curbside pickup. His killer could be anyone. And a ragtag collection of thugs and psychos, not to mention the FBI, are all looking for a photograph the dead man was supposed to be carrying.

Only one other person has seen the missing photo: Stephanie Plum. Now she’s the target, and she doesn’t intend to end up in a garbage can. With the help of an FBI sketch artist, Stephanie re-creates the person in the photo. Unfortunately, the first sketch turns out to look like Tom Cruise, and the second sketch like Ashton Kutcher. Until Stephanie can improve her descriptive skills, she’ll need to watch her back.

Over at the bail bonds agency, things are going from bad to worse. The bonds bus serving as Vinnie’s temporary HQ goes up in smoke. Stephanie’s wheelman, Lula, falls in love with their largest skip yet. Lifetime arch nemesis Joyce Barnhardt moves into Stephanie’s apartment. And everyone wants to know what happened in Hawaii.

Morelli, Trenton’s hottest cop, isn’t talking about Hawaii. Ranger, the man of mystery, isn’t talking about Hawaii. And all Stephanie is willing to say about her Hawaiian vacation is... it’s complicated.

Jersey girl: listen to more in the Stephanie Plum series.©2011 Janet Evanovich (P)2011 Random House Audio

better than the last few...

I love this series...I started reading it 20+ yrs ago....and some have been better than others...what irks me is that the books seem to be getting shorter and shorter....all in all a good laugh with the characters we've come to love...

Just another prequel to the next book

It appears that Evanovich has succumbed to pressure from her publishers - as have so many others NYT Bestseller writers.

Smokin' Seventeen was part one, Explosive Eighteen is part two, and whatever Nineteen is called, let's hope it is the last and final part of what should have been a single book.

Don't get me wrong, this is classic Stephanie Plum - funny with olenty of Lulu and Grandma. I loved it and I'm not sorry I bought it.

Stephanie's fans will like this!

Have you listened to any of Lorelei King’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

LK was as much on her game in 18 as in any of her other Plum narrations.

Any additional comments?

Some one gave this audiobook a review that was less than favorable. I felt I had to write one and tell everyone that this IS a fun book! The plot is not developed with quite as much intensity as, say 16, but it is acceptable. I really enjoyed it that Stephanie has finally loosened up some. As with the other books, there were places where I laughed out loud. I smiled a lot. While it did not keep me on the edge of my (car) seat, I did listen to it whenever I got into the car. I made myself not listen in the house because it is such a lovely distraction while in the car. Even though this story is not as involved or as intense as some of the others, if you like Stephanie, you will enjoy it. It's like hearing news about a friend. I would recommend it!

Stephanie Plum series has me hooked!

If you like the Stephanie Plum bounty hunter series (what's not to like?) you will enjoy this next installment. She's still juggling Ranger and Morelli, still has crazy antics with Lula and somehow manages to explode all the cars Ranger loans her. I've read or listened to all the books in this series and am thinking of starting all over now that the earlier books are on audio. (One of the things I really enjoy about the series is the narration by Loralei King)... I guess you could say I'm hooked!

Stephanie Plum at her best? Nope, but still fun.

No, this isn't the best book ever. It's pretty standard for the Stephanie Plum series...not a spectacular storyline, but there was enough action and humor to keep me listening. I really enjoy Lorelei King's narration of Stephanie and the other characters. I've read and/or listened to all the other books in the series, and this one wasn't one of my absolute favorites. Still, diving into a Stephanie Plum story always gets me laughing, and sometimes that's just what I need. If you're looking for a complicated, realistic story, look elsewhere. If you're just looking for a good time, give it a try.

Always too short

What made the experience of listening to Explosive Eighteen the most enjoyable?

The characters are well developed and you want to know how their relationships are progressing.

Who was your favorite character and why?

It is hard to pick on favorite character. Stephanie, Ranger, Joe, and Lulu are all fun.

Not Her Best Story But Who Cares?

What did you love best about Explosive Eighteen?

The characters Evanovich has created and the wonderful way they come to life in King's narration is pure joy. I am so hooked on this series and they never fail to entertain, lift my spirits and leave me hoping there will be a next one. Thanks to both of these creative women!

What does Lorelei King bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

King is the reason these books come alive on Audible. It would be very hard to go back to silently reading about Lulu, Ranger and Morelli instead of welcoming them into my room.

A predictable Stephanie Plum adventure....

Is there anything you would change about this book?

When Janet Evanovich first began the Stephanie Plum mysteries I could not tout her unique characters enough. She was my favorite author. I laughed so often that I began buying her books for friends. My daughter took me to a book signing in Portland Maine. I was a devoted fan. By book Fourteen the stories had become too predictable so I let a couple slide by. I picked up Eighteen and although a few years had passed since I'd read a Stephanie Plum mystery I found the dilemmas and reactions hadn't changed. I gave it three stars because although it was entertaining it just didn't have any surprises.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I can't recall anything outstanding

What three words best describe Lorelei King’s performance?

It was okay

Was Explosive Eighteen worth the listening time?

I wasn't excited enough to recommend it to any one else.

I'm always amused by Stephanie Plum

Would you listen to Explosive Eighteen again? Why?

Probably not, but I rarely reread books. It takes time away from listening to new ones.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Explosive Eighteen?

I loved Lulu when she thought a spell had been put on her and she fell in love with one of the skips.

Have you listened to any of Lorelei King’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

She is an excellent reader who never disappoints

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Stephanie always makes me laugh

better than 17

Would you listen to Explosive Eighteen again? Why?

yea, they just make me laugh

What was one of the most memorable moments of Explosive Eighteen?

cant say any most memorable overall was quite enjoyable

Which character – as performed by Lorelei King – was your favorite?

Joe or gramma are always good to go

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

the life of stef plum is always a laugh even if tragically at times

Any additional comments?

i worried about 18 as 17 was a bit off kilter to the norm i have come to expect but didnt stop me from buyilng it as i have all the plum and Jamie and Max and many of the other single stories except Metro girl and those i haven't quite gotten into. But my thanks for the hours of enjoyment.