Batduck & Battysgirl’s Cove

  Plum Spooky

Janet Evanovich

Date: January 6, 2009 —   $27.95 —  Book

Three and a half stars (of a possible four, of course)

From Booklist
Those who know and love Stephanie, Ranger, Morelli, Lula, Bob the dog, Rex the hamster, and the rest of that wacky crew in Evanovich’s Trenton-set series, have also clasped Diesel, who appears only in these “between-the-numbers” tales, to their collective hearts. Big, blond, dimpled, and paranormal, he flits into Steph’s bail-bondswoman life with unnerving irregularity, and he has special powers that extend well beyond bounty hunting. This time Diesel has a cousin named Wulf, pale, black-clad, and dead-eyed, who has hidden a nerdy scientist and a lot of equipment in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. The repartee sparkles and shimmies from razor wit to toilet humor (and back again), and the plot involves mud, food tossing, explosive farts, occasional kissing, and hilarious (and true-to-life, alas) allergic reactions (that would be from Lula). A group of monkeys, and one in particular named Carl, figure mightily in the plot, in one instance actually making the stoic, understated Ranger burst into laughter. Don’t miss Morelli’s brother-in-law, the sly Star Trek and vampire tropes, and the Jersey Devil. Incredible amounts of fun. –GraceAnne A. DeCandido

From Batty’s Girl

Having finished Fifteen just yesterday I was hesitant to read another Plum novel so soon afterwards but decided I would any way since I didn’t have long to browse the library with a sleepy baby hanging off my shoulder.

Now, I’m glad I did read this book.  I think this between the numbers novel was much better than fourteen and fifteen.  Diesel is a wonderful character that could have if Evanovich had wanted, given Joe and Ranger a run for their money.  Lucky for the two current love interests, Diesel never sticks around long enough.

Totally worth the read!