Visions of Sugar Plums by Janet Evanovich
Paperback, 192 pages
2008, St. Martin's Paperbacks
ISBN: 0312947046
Series: Book 1 in the Between the Numbers series, Book 8.5 in the Stephanie Plum series
Synopsis
Christmas in bounty hunter Stephanie Plum's world isn't quite like Christmas in Whoville. With only four days to go before December 25, she doesn't have a decorated tree in her apartment or any presents bought. Plus she's chasing an elusive bail-jumper named Sandy Claws; a hunky guy named Diesel is literally popping in and out of her apartment; and a mob of manic elves is threatening to assault her with cookies. The end result is that Stephanie is feeling a tad stressed over the holiday season. Life isn't any calmer over at her parents' home in the Burg, where Grandma Mazur is dating a new octogenarian stud muffin; sister Valerie is wailing over some unwelcome news; and Stephanie's mother is coping by belting back tumblers of Red Roses in the kitchen. Just where is the elusive Mr. Claws hiding, and why? What's causing the power blackouts all over Trenton? And what about the mysterious villain, Mr. Ring? Is all of this real, or is Stephanie just having a very bad dream?
Review
This is not your usual Plum novel. I definitely wasn't expecting the type of story I experienced reading Visions of Sugar Plums. I figured the Between-the-Numbers books would be the same as the regular Stephanie Plum books, only shorter. The addition of supernatural elements was completely out of left field.
Visions of Sugar Plums introduces Diesel, a man with the uncanny ability to unlock doors by touch alone. It seems as though he also has the ability to teleport. And, of course, he and Stephanie have some budding sexual tension.
Visions of Sugar Plums was unusual and I'm not quite sure if I like the direction the book seems to be taking the series in. If read alone, it is a fun and slightly whimsical mystery. As part of the series, Stephanie is still the same bumbling bounty hunter, but the addition of the paranormal is a little bizarre.
Rating
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Hmmm....good review. Thought-provoking!
ReplyDeleteNice review...but a little disappointing
ReplyDeleteShe only has the paranormal aspects (and Diesel) in the Between-the-Numbers books.
ReplyDeleteI kinda found it a weird twist, too. But I like the Plum series overall and keep reading. =)
I love this series and I'm quite curious about this book. Thank you for this review!
ReplyDeleteThe supernatural stuff and Diesel are only for the in-between books. They are fun little diversions mainly.
ReplyDelete