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21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Serious Fun as Stephanie Plays Decoy for Ranger, 5 Jul 2006
Only a Stephanie Plum novel would cause some to complain because the plot had an actual mystery and intrigue in it. That shows how much we've been spoiled by Janet Evanovich's comic touch. We come to the new books in the series for the entertainment (much like people once did for Charlie Chaplin) and we're surprised when serious themes emerge.
I thought that Twelve Sharp was by far the most impressive novel in the series. The story-telling moves beyond Pink Panther comedy into dealing with the serious consequences of actions we take. At the same time, the book goes down very smoothly.
The serious side is well done. Stephanie finds herself stalked by a young woman with a gun she doesn't mind using who claims to be Ranger's wife. What's that all about? Stephanie is also at risk for being kidnapped. And then Ranger's daughter is missing. It's a nicely complicated mystery and is unraveled in fine fashion. While this part of the story is not yet up to Dame Agatha's best, it's more than satisfying.
The character development of Stephanie and Ranger through the plot is quite remarkable in this story. In the past, Ranger has been the Superman of mystery who could do no wrong. She's been in his thrall . . . but kept at a distance only by his self-restraint. So why has he been self-restrained? In this story, we learn more about Ranger and begin to sense his vulnerabilities. An unexpected pregnancy made Ranger a father at a young age. Since then, he's met his financial responsibilities and kept his distance from similar complications. But that all comes unglued when his daughter is kidnapped and Ranger is the suspect the police are looking for. As a result, Ranger has to go undercover. Ranger's only hope of solving the kidnapping is through Stephanie's efforts because the crumb also wants Stephanie. As a result, Stephanie finds herself in deeper peril than ever before. Both of the men in her life want to protect her. Oops! That's certainly one serious complication that a woman who loves two men never thought about. How do you keep them apart when there's danger?
To me, the best comedy in the series comes when Stephanie and Lula (the retired lady of the evening) team up to bring in fugitives. They are the Laurel and Hardy of bounty hunters. In this book, Stephanie's solutions turn out to work best when she follows her heart rather than trying trickery. Because Vinnie has been taking chances, there are more fugitives than usual, and several of them are pretty dangerous. With Ranger away, Stephanie and Lula will play.
The next best comedy comes when Grandma Mazur gets into the action either at the funeral home or in chasing men. This book has some of each, as Grandma decides to join the band that Sally Sweet and Lula are forming. There are new, friendlier owners (two gay men) at the funeral home, and this change opens up new comic possibilities.
A new comic dimension is added when Connie and Stephanie decide to hire some more bounty hunters. Naturally, this brings Stephanie's old nemesis, Joyce, into play for some good moments.
So, whose bed will Stephanie end up in and with whom? You'll just have to read to find out. I have to leave that important mystery untouched.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great fun, but nothing new, 22 Jun 2006
Twelve Sharp is characterised by the Evanovich formula; laugh out loud funny in parts, smart dialogue and larger than life characters. The story formula is on safe ground in this book and fans will find it satisfyingly familiar - Stephanie's life is in danger, Ranger is mysterious and irresistable, Morelli sexy and loyal, Lula outrageous, grandma crazy. Those hoping for something to tie up the love triangle or move forward the dynamic will be left disappointed, although there is a tease towards the end. Vintage Stephanie Plum and I thoroughly enjoyed it; on completion I immediately turned back to page 1 to start all over again.
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19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another brilliant episode , 14 Jul 2006
Some may have found last previous books, like 10 and 11 frustrating. I know I have! Although Stephanie gets a new case and solves it with the usual hilarious high jinks (and often losing multiple cars), her personal life and that of the people around her stay still. So, when I read this, in one sitting, finishing some time around the dawn chorus I was more than happy.
Evanovich does not tie up any loose ends, so she maintains interest for the rest of the series, long may it reign! Lula, for instance, finds an additional occupation and manages to drags members of Stephanie and Rangers crews along for the ride. Therefore, developing her own stand alone character, independent of working with Stephanie.
As said in other reviews, we are introduced to some new characters. The 'love triangle' is taken up a notch. And Tank speaks more than 5 words! All of this to the backdrop to a child kidnapping close to Rangers' heart.
Any one who love the Stephanie Plum series will love this. Any one looking for suspense and more than a few laughs along the way should definitely get in these books.
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by Janet Evanovich
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