Three to Get Deadly

Three to Get Deadly by Janet Evanovich
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Stephanie Plum's been handed her most difficult bail jumper yet: beloved candyman Uncle Mo, who everyone loves but no one really knows; a man whose disappearance coincides with bodies piling up along Stephanie's path.

With irrepressible former hooker Lula riding along as bounty-hunter-in-training, Stephanie has her hands full. Uncle Mo's reputation is so high she find doors slammed in her face and dead ends wherever she looks - not to mention all the gossip filtering through the phone lines to her mother. Stephanie's still pretty new to bounty hunting, and her inexperience shows. So she's relying more than ever on the mysterious Ranger, suspected superhero, to back her up and keep her in shape for a job she's not sure she wants anymore.

Not only that, but Morelli's been acting oddly around her - when he bothers to come around, that is. Formerly hot and heavy, his coolness leaves Stephanie suspicious that he's gotten a girlfriend who doesn't carry pepper spray for a living.
Evanovich has a knack for funny descriptions and outrageous scenarios, but I hope our bold heroine shows herself a little more capable in the future. Calling Morelli every time she gets into trouble has its limits. She also may want to consider moving - her apartment is a waystation for every lowlife she angers. How can she sleep at night?!

For my readalike recommendations, check out my review of One for the Money.

Quotable:
"Fred looked to be about three hundred years old. Gravity had pulled the skin from the top of his head down to his neck, and Fred had tucked it into his shirt collar." - p. 262

Two for the Dough

Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum's new job is taking her places she never expected - to strangers' funerals with Grandma Mazur, out onto a rusty fire escape, and under sexy Joe Morelli.

Ruining cars and making enemies as she goes, Stephanie is hunting for a Trenton boy who shot his buddy and skipped his court date. The case seemed simple enough until Morelli started taking undue interest in it - and bodies started piling up with missing parts. Feisty Grandma Mazur is more than a bit player in this sequel to One for the Money that manages to be just as charming and funny as the original.

For other series that combine strong female leads with mystery and action, try A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton, or the Carlotta Carlyle books by Linda Barnes (number one is A Trouble of Fools).