Twisted Twenty-Six

I love this series; fast moving laugh out loud reads. Ive read many of them more than once. A couple of the books werent quite as good as the others, but still fun reads. The 25th book wasnt that good, and this one is horrible. I didnt laugh once. Not worth reading. I hope the next book is like the earlier ones. If not, Im done with this series. Something I never thought Id ever say.

To wait a year for a little over 300 pages and not to mention the money spent buying the book, the word disappointment seems too lame. I truly feel that Janet had someone else write this book. It didn’t have her usual flair, although I will say she might have proofread it at times because you can tell the when the writing changed. I think it could have been so much better, more dramatic with a better sense of comedic timing. The cliff hanger seemed like a last minute add-on. This just might be my last book I purchased for my Janet Evanovich – Stephanie Plum collection.

I love this series Ive read all the books. Whats up with Janet? This struck me as very melancholy. Grandma Mazur was so philosophical that I thought she was going to die in this book! And weve seen Stephanie have many existential crises in the past that were funny. Remember the time she quit and every job she had was a disaster? Like setting the Cluck in a Bucket on fire? The funny parts werent all that funny. It honestly made me worry about where Janets head is at? Is she depressed? If so, I am sorry and hope she takes some time or does something that gives her more joy. Shes brought me many hours of entertainment just not this time.

is like taking a trip back to the 1950s and every Italian cliche youve ever heard about. This book is a hoot of a good time!

Author, Janet Evanovich, gets her insights to the Italian foibles from her mama, and if you are from the blessed nationality as a consequence of birth, (such as I am – well, the most important 50% of me is), or have come to it via marriage, or thru an affinity for the greatest cuisine on earth, youre gonna love this story.

Starting with some of the character names: Bennie the Skooch, Big Artie, Charlie Shine…), moving on to grandma whos been married for a brief moment but playing the grieving Dons wife as if she were married to him for a lifetime – and she packs a .45 to boot! The sisters: Angie, Tootie and Rose – I have great aunts with those exact same names; for real. Every nuance about this book smacks of absurd, cartoonish reality to me.

The setting, Trenton, N. J. is the perfect blue collar location for this story to take place. Its almost timeless and fits this crime/mystery to a perfect, blast-from-the-past T. Evanovich doesnt provide a lot of prose in this book but what is there functions more like stage directions for the very funny, story driving dialogue.

Oh the dialogue in this book! How do I even begin to tell you about it? On one hand, it offends me and 1/2 a second behind it, had me actually LOL! The expletives are mostly soft but there are a few f-bombs and Divine epithets. Those same characters then turn around and make the sign of the cross, genuflect or God Bless someone. The colorful language is absolutely in keeping with the profile of the characters. Its easily skipped over but its so hysterical, youll miss some laughs if you do; its really not swearing. Heres one of my favorite examples from Grandma: Holy Sh@! Pickles! Priceless!!!

The ending of this book is key – it appears there might be a sequel? There is a bit of a cliffhanger. Not the kind that makes you angry and never want to read the author again, but the kind that makes you glad THIS author writes very quickly. So glad I started my day with this novel of wise guys and wisecracks

Favorite Character: Grandma Mazur

I dont know if she is my favorite because she reminds me of my grandmother, who is still spunky at 93. Or, if its just because she is a seventy-something grandmother who goes to the shooting range once a week, turns viewings at the local funeral home into a contact sport, and plays bingo like a professional. But, she has always been my favorite character. She grabs onto life and lives it to its fullest. And she will make you laugh so hard that your sides will begin to hurt.

What I Liked About Twisted Twenty-Six

Janet Evanovich paid tribute to how long the series has been going and how old Stephanie would be if she had aged in real-time. This acknowledgment may seem like a simple thing, but readers have started to notice the lack of time progression in the series, in a not so pleasant way.

Stephanie Plum, a not-so-good bounty hunter, found the missing keys and saved herself and her grandmother from the bad guys in a concrete mixer nonetheless. She always seems to stumble her way to success, but 25 books later, I think that no one gets lucky that many times, so maybe she is not as bad as she thinks she is. Mostly, she lacks confidence in life and love.

I have always loved that Janet Evanovich embraces the New Jersey stereotypes and has so much fun with them. From the hot Italian cop to Lulu, the former prostitute, every character knows their stereotype and stays true to it. I grew up in Delaware (right next door to New Jersey) and remembered those stereotypes well, so that little piece from my past keeps me in stitches.

This novel and the whole mystery series is very fast-paced and full of action. The pages flip fast and furious as I couldnt wait to experience the next scene a failed apprehension, a romantic encounter, or a family dinner because they are full of humor.

What I Wish about twisted twenty-six

Stephanie shows some growth in this novel, where she hasnt done so in past stories. She is questioning her choice of career to the point where she is ready to switch careers. Though Stepanie has talked about finding a new profession in the past, this time, it reads more genuine rather than just her reacting to an event. She needs to grow to continue to be relatable. Stephanie showing growth is my biggest wish if the series continues that she shows some real growth in her career, in love, and her whole living situation.

To read or not to read.

That is simple READ this book today! And enjoy the fun ride you will have while you do.

Galaxyaudiobook Member Benefit

- Able to comment

- List watched audiobooks

- List favorite audiobooks

- Bookmark will only available for Galaxyaudiobook member