Louisiana Longshot

I really wanted to like this book. I have been a fan of the Stephanie Plum books for several years, and since the Miss Fortune series had rave reviews and people drawing comparisons to the Plum books, I figured I would give this a shot. My biggest problem with this book is simply that the author is trying too hard to piggyback off of the Plum series. The story is written in first person POV and it tries too hard to be funny. Maybe since I am familiar with Janet Evanovich’s writing style and the presentation of the Stephanie Plum stories, I am disinclined to want to read more of the same from someone else. I’m not saying that Ms. DeLeon has copied Ms. Evanovich, but. . .there are too many similarities for me. The writing is not as strong in this book, so that’s a definite fail.

I think if the writing style was more original, this story might have been more appealing. As it is, the writing, overall, is weak and the premise seems contrived (especially if you’re already a fan of the Stephanie Plum books). The writing and the story line didn’t appeal to me, so I won’t be continuing with this series.

I very much enjoyed the banter and craziness of this book right up until the end, or I should say until it failed to end. I detest books that give you only “part” of the story and then make you buy another book to find out how the first one ended. I suspect the mystery won’t be solved in the next book either, hence the word “series.” (I truly wish authors knew the difference between the words “series” and “serial.”)

The story starts out with CIA agent Fortune being sent to Louisiana under cover to hide until her boss can discover who the mole is in the CIA. The mole blew Fortune’s cover and now there’s a hit out on her. She’s not supposed to draw attention to herself in Louisiana. Of course she immediately gets involved in a murder investigation with a couple of gray haired old ladies who aren’t what they appear to be. The mystery of the murder is solved by the end of the book, but you have no clue who the mole is or if the hit is still out on Fortune. The book just ends.

…because once you start this series you are going to be buying every book in it. (It only took me 4 days to purchase all 15 books. Thankfully Amazon has a package deal for the first 14).

Jana DeLeon can write throughly engaging characters and a descriptive scene like very few authors I have read and I have read a lot. Fortune Redding is a wonderful character that has you cheering and grateful people like her actually exist. The growing and totally realistic emotions she goes through throughout the series will make some readers forget she is just a fictional character. Ida Belle and Gertie have to be read to be believed. They defy description.

Louisiana Longshot is an enjoyable book that will have you quickly going for Book 2 to see what happens. Once you start down this path, if you are familiar with the South at all (and I mean that in a completely wonderful way), you will be in tears, and have people looking at you strangely if you are reading in public, because you will be laughing so hard.

This is where the descriptive writing comes in and you will see the scenes so clearly. The escapades the ladies get into, to the chagrin and sometimes humor of Deputy LeBlanc, are so much fun! So, sit back and prop your feet up, and dont start a book if you are going to sleep anytime in the following few hours!

Ive been in a book slump for awhile. Ive started half a dozen books over the last several months and ended them all by chapter 5. But this book grabbed my attention and I flew through it. I found myself staying up late to finish it and I woke my poor husband at least 3 times laughing so hard.

Absolutely laugh out loud funny. Stephanie Plum meets the Golden Girls. Quick read. Great storyline. I loved every character. Read this book!

Favorite Quote:
Youve got man-eating monsters pretending to be frogs in your backyard, banana pudding wars, missing people, and an unsolved murder. I am the least of your worries.

What can I say? I love, love, love this series. There is nothing more fun than finding a book or, even better, a series or author that you love so much you reread them every once in a while just for the pleasure of visiting them once more. This is one of those books/series. Fortune is a hoot and Gertie and Ida Belle just make the fun better. I love how Fortune sizes up everyone in her head according to their danger potential. Im still laughing from my 4th reread, especially because I discovered things I didnt remember from before – even better! Im already moving on to rereading the second in the series – its only been a few months since the most recent one came out and Im already anxiously awaiting the next chapter in Fortunes story.

UPDATE: Ive made it to the 10th book and still discovering fun bits I missed or forgot about. Gerties purse of doom – too funny (and accurate). Julie Moffett has a deft touch with description and dialogue. She really brings this hysterical cast of characters alive.

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