Status
Available
Series
Genres
Publication
St. Martin's Press (2009), Edition: 1st, 308 pages
Description
New Jersey bail-bonds office worker Lula is a witness to celebrity chef, Stanley Chipotle, losing his head, literally. Now Lula and Stephanie Plum, a bond enforcement officer, are on the hunt to identify the killers before Lula is next on the chopping block. Meantime, security expert Carlos Manoso, aka Ranger, has recruited Stephanie for a top secret mission. Someone on the inside at Rangeman is leaking client information, determined to bring the company down. Can Stephanie hunt down a killer, a traitor, and keep her Grandma out of the sauce?
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User reviews
LibraryThing member bookchickdi
Another June has rolled around, and that means another New Jersey bounter hunter Stephanie Plum adventure from author Janet Evanovich. Finger Lickin' Fifteen is one of the more humorous entries in the series.
This book focuses on my favorite characters- Lula, the larger-than-life (in every way)
The crime/mystery storylines (Lula is being chased by bad guys after she witnesses the decapitation of a famous TV chef and someone breaking into the homes of Ranger's security clients) are not really the focus here; this is a more comedic novel than some of the other Stephanie Plum novels, and I enjoyed it.
A funny subplot concerns a young man who flashes the unsuspecting women in Stephanie's parents neighborhood. Grandma tries to explain to Stephanie why the women aren't upset with the flasher:
"Well, technically none of us was unsuspecting," Grandma said. "We wait for him to show up. I guess it's one of them generation things. You get to an age and you look forward to seeing a winkie at four in the afternoon when you're peeling potatoes for supper. The thing about Junior and his winkie is, you don't have to do anything about it. You just take a look and he moves on."
Readers of the series will be happy to know that Stephanie ends up with cars on fire, her apartment on fire, paint poured over her head, falling down the stairs, sleeping in Ranger's bed-all of the usual Stephanie Plum mishaps.
This is a quick, funny, take-it-to-the-beach kind of book. It made me chuckle more than a few times, especially when Lulu and Grandma team up. They are the Jersey girl version of Abbott and Costello.
If you are looking for a clever mystery to be solved, you may be disappointed. And if you are offended by flatulence jokes or cursing, you may want to skip this. But if you think of Stephanie and the gang as friends you love to visit, and you want a good laugh, pick up Finger Lickin' Fifteen. It's fast food reading: maybe not so good for you everyday, but every once in a while, you just have a craving for it.
This book focuses on my favorite characters- Lula, the larger-than-life (in every way)
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hooker-turned-office assistant, Grandma Mazur, and Stephanie's protector and sometime employer, sexy Ranger.The crime/mystery storylines (Lula is being chased by bad guys after she witnesses the decapitation of a famous TV chef and someone breaking into the homes of Ranger's security clients) are not really the focus here; this is a more comedic novel than some of the other Stephanie Plum novels, and I enjoyed it.
A funny subplot concerns a young man who flashes the unsuspecting women in Stephanie's parents neighborhood. Grandma tries to explain to Stephanie why the women aren't upset with the flasher:
"Well, technically none of us was unsuspecting," Grandma said. "We wait for him to show up. I guess it's one of them generation things. You get to an age and you look forward to seeing a winkie at four in the afternoon when you're peeling potatoes for supper. The thing about Junior and his winkie is, you don't have to do anything about it. You just take a look and he moves on."
Readers of the series will be happy to know that Stephanie ends up with cars on fire, her apartment on fire, paint poured over her head, falling down the stairs, sleeping in Ranger's bed-all of the usual Stephanie Plum mishaps.
This is a quick, funny, take-it-to-the-beach kind of book. It made me chuckle more than a few times, especially when Lulu and Grandma team up. They are the Jersey girl version of Abbott and Costello.
If you are looking for a clever mystery to be solved, you may be disappointed. And if you are offended by flatulence jokes or cursing, you may want to skip this. But if you think of Stephanie and the gang as friends you love to visit, and you want a good laugh, pick up Finger Lickin' Fifteen. It's fast food reading: maybe not so good for you everyday, but every once in a while, you just have a craving for it.
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LibraryThing member MelindaLibrary
The main character, Stephanie Plum, characterizes herself: "I couldn't even categorize myself as incompetent. I had to go with pathetically stupid" (page 170). She's not wrong. This series has become completely formulaic. Oh look, put Stephanie in an odd, messy situation! Have not one, but at least
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two cars blow up around her! Have a dribble of sexual tension with Ranger, but never, never (except that once) do they have sex. Have Stephanie be beyond incompetent at her job. Add "humor" to the mix by having many comments about Lulu's size and eating habits. Drizzle on at the end of the book, Stephanie "reconciling" with Morelli. Throw in one funeral attended by Grandma Mazur, a heaping tablespoon of Ranger doing Stephanie's job (again), a smidge of long-suffering parents, and be sure not to add any mystery to speak of, and you have a Stephanie Plum novel. Go, now, and write your own. Show Less
LibraryThing member drebbles
Stephanie Plum’s on again/off again relationship with Joe Morelli is currently off but luckily she has a lot to occupy her mind. Friend and fellow bounty hunter Lula has witnessed a murder and the killers are now after her. Undaunted, Lula wants to capture the killers to collect the reward money
While not nearly as good as the early books in Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, “Finger Lickin’ Fifteen” is a bit better than the last couple of books in the series. The series biggest asset is the outlandish sense of humor which had gotten stale in the last few books. Evanovich tends to repeat the jokes from book to book and while it was funny at first, it’s gotten to be a bit tiring reading about exploding cars (and there are several in this book). Evanovich does manage to inject some fresh humor in this book – notably when Stephanie drives her father’s cab – but she then comes close to ruining the freshness by repeating the joke over and over again. Many times you can see the joke coming from a mile away and while sometimes it is still funny even though you see it coming, many times it is not. Mixed in with the humor there are some genuinely tense moments – most notably a scene with Stephanie, her grandmother, and two armed men - and I wish the book had more moments like that. The series has always been filled with over the top characters, but at this point they’re all starting to feel the same. As for the two major plot lines – Lula’s encounter with killers and Ranger needing Stephanie’s help – Lula’s is the stronger one. It’s hard to believe that Ranger, with all his resources, would need Stephanie’s help, and while I thought Evanovich would actually move the series up a notch with the identity of the thieves, she ends up taking the easy way out and the solution comes out of nowhere and is a let down.
“Finger Lickin’ Fifteen” has some genuinely funny moments but in the end is the same old same old.
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and has entered a barbeque cook off in order to do so. When Stephanie is not helping Lula and doing her bounty hunter work, she is helping Ranger solve a series of break-ins at homes and businesses protected by Rangeman Security. None of this would be easy for the ordinary person, but there is nothing ordinary about Stephanie and the people in her life.While not nearly as good as the early books in Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, “Finger Lickin’ Fifteen” is a bit better than the last couple of books in the series. The series biggest asset is the outlandish sense of humor which had gotten stale in the last few books. Evanovich tends to repeat the jokes from book to book and while it was funny at first, it’s gotten to be a bit tiring reading about exploding cars (and there are several in this book). Evanovich does manage to inject some fresh humor in this book – notably when Stephanie drives her father’s cab – but she then comes close to ruining the freshness by repeating the joke over and over again. Many times you can see the joke coming from a mile away and while sometimes it is still funny even though you see it coming, many times it is not. Mixed in with the humor there are some genuinely tense moments – most notably a scene with Stephanie, her grandmother, and two armed men - and I wish the book had more moments like that. The series has always been filled with over the top characters, but at this point they’re all starting to feel the same. As for the two major plot lines – Lula’s encounter with killers and Ranger needing Stephanie’s help – Lula’s is the stronger one. It’s hard to believe that Ranger, with all his resources, would need Stephanie’s help, and while I thought Evanovich would actually move the series up a notch with the identity of the thieves, she ends up taking the easy way out and the solution comes out of nowhere and is a let down.
“Finger Lickin’ Fifteen” has some genuinely funny moments but in the end is the same old same old.
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LibraryThing member krissa
I’ve seen good and bad reviews for this one, but I have to say, I liked it. This on had Lots of story lines to follow. At a few times we would return to a story line, that I had forgotten existed. Pretty typical Stephanie Plum stuff. Destroyed cars. Sexual tension. Danger. Many of our favorite
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characters. Lula, Grandma Mazur. Rex. And of course Morelli and Ranger. I had read somewhere that it was all clichés. (spelled right blair?) yes and no. On one hand, Evanovich does tend to find something that works for her characters, and run with it. Sometimes to the point when I felt beat over the head with it. (yes, I get that Stephanie keeps her unloaded gun it her cookie jar, and that she likes peanut butter and olive sandwiches). On the other hand, I think I would be disappointed and miss some of these things if they weren’t in there. I have come to expect blowing up cars, Ranger tracking her person and cars and coming in to save the day and Morelli showing up on scene, to help, but usually just in time to laugh at whatever Stephanie has gotten herself into this time. It’s almost comic relief, and oddly comforting. This book was mostly Ranger (LOTS of Ranger) and enough Morelli to keep a girl satisfied (if there is any such thing…) I don’t think I would recommend this book if it is your first. I think it’s not her best, and you would miss out on a lot. On the other hand, it is recommended if you have read the others. What do you mean I have to wait another year for the next one? ;) Show Less
LibraryThing member Reacherfan
Wow, this was a clunker. I have such high expectation for each Plum novel, and this one falls way short. Each of the plots are total fluff. I'd have liked Evanovich to spend more time on the problems that dealt with Ranger. That seems like such a good and interesting plot line, and it just fell
It seemed like Evanovich phoned this one in.
As they say, "All good things must come to an end", and perhaps it time to say good bye to Stephanie and her cast of characters.
Don't pay full price for this book. If you can get it at the library, you'll be better off.
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short. WHen it came to the end, it was as if it was just thrown on. It seemed like Evanovich phoned this one in.
As they say, "All good things must come to an end", and perhaps it time to say good bye to Stephanie and her cast of characters.
Don't pay full price for this book. If you can get it at the library, you'll be better off.
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LibraryThing member sdbookhound
Still entertaining to a point, but the humor is getting old. Either this series needs to end, or the author needs to think of something new to get us interested.
LibraryThing member scoutlee
Finger Lickin’ Fifteen is based on the same formula as the previous three of four books: Stephanie still can’t catch her skips without Ranger’s help (I mean how many times can people jump out the bathroom window before she realizes not to leave them alone?), the on-again, off-again
The lack of character growth in this series continues. Why isn’t Stephanie allowed to become a skilled bounty hunter? Why does she always need Joe or Ranger to come to the rescue? The love triangle between Stephanie, Joe and Ranger has gotten old. At this point, I no longer care who she ends up with, but can she just pick one of them?!?
The Stephanie Plum series certainly isn’t serious reading. I do remember a time when I enjoyed reading about Stephanie’s mishaps because they were laugh-out loud funny! Unfortunately, I no longer find her funny.
I’m not sure about this series anymore. There was a time Stephanie Plum was one of my favorite series. I would immediately sign-up for the wait list at the library and read it each book in one sitting. Now, it’s not as crucial for me to read the latest Stephanie Plum book shortly after its release. It has gotten to where I only read the books to keep up with the series. But Finger Lickin’ Fifteen, just may be my last Stephanie Plum book.
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relationship with Joe Morelli (they’re off in this installment), Lula farting, Stephanie and Lula eating (a lot), Stephanie’s cars blow up and Ranger supplies her with a Porsche (followed by another Porsche!), Grandma packin’ her gun in her purse, and dinners at her parents’ home.The lack of character growth in this series continues. Why isn’t Stephanie allowed to become a skilled bounty hunter? Why does she always need Joe or Ranger to come to the rescue? The love triangle between Stephanie, Joe and Ranger has gotten old. At this point, I no longer care who she ends up with, but can she just pick one of them?!?
The Stephanie Plum series certainly isn’t serious reading. I do remember a time when I enjoyed reading about Stephanie’s mishaps because they were laugh-out loud funny! Unfortunately, I no longer find her funny.
I’m not sure about this series anymore. There was a time Stephanie Plum was one of my favorite series. I would immediately sign-up for the wait list at the library and read it each book in one sitting. Now, it’s not as crucial for me to read the latest Stephanie Plum book shortly after its release. It has gotten to where I only read the books to keep up with the series. But Finger Lickin’ Fifteen, just may be my last Stephanie Plum book.
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LibraryThing member miyurose
I have to admit, I was a little surprised to find Stephanie and Morelli on the outs when this novel begins, since they’d been getting pretty cozy in the last couple of books. However, you won’t find me complaining, because less Morelli meant more Ranger, and I’m a Ranger girl through and
I can’t help it, I still love this series.
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through. I thought this was the best out of the last few Plum novels. It wasn’t quite as zany as some (after all, there are no monkeys in this one), but Stephanie still manages to destroy several vehicles, get shot at a few times, have her apartment firebombed, and give Joyce Barnhardt food poisoning. Sure, she doesn’t learn much from her mistakes, but isn’t that why we like her so much?I can’t help it, I still love this series.
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LibraryThing member Badass_Book_Reviews
I love Stephenie Plum.
She makes me laugh. My only issue at this point in the series is she needs to make a decision on Morelli... or Ranger.
Or at the very least, stick with one exclusively for a while.
The Triangle is getting old.
She makes me laugh. My only issue at this point in the series is she needs to make a decision on Morelli... or Ranger.
Or at the very least, stick with one exclusively for a while.
The Triangle is getting old.
LibraryThing member Alera
The Stephanie Plum series has always been a feel-good book series for me. The cast of characters never fail to make me laugh, and when reading one I always feel like I'm coming home to something I know will make me happy. This latest installment was no exception. Stephanie manages to get covered in
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varying substances, cars explode, an apartment goes up in flames, Morelli and Ranger are gorgeous, Joyce is evil, and for once Stephanie isn't the one getting shot at. All in all, just as fabulous as I expected it to be. Show Less
LibraryThing member madamejeanie
This is the best recipe for disasterous hilarity you're likely to find. Take one celebrity chef who comes to Trenton and loses his head - literally; add some spice in the form of Lula, the former 'ho and current file clerk and quasi-bounty hunter who witnesses said decapitation and decides to enter
Those of you who have sworn off Evanovich in recent years with her same ol' same ol' formula stories just might want to get back into them at least long enough to read this one. Don't worry if you've skipped several of the numbers -- there's nothing here that needs much lead-in, and this has to be the funniest Plum in at least the last 7 episodes. There were dozens of places that made me giggle and one place (on page 163, in fact) that made me laugh so loud and so long that I disturbed six people in a doctor's waiting room and couldn't explain what the hell was so funny. I adore Stephanie Plum and her adventures never fail to be one of the bright spots in my summer. This one is a pip.
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a barbecue cook-off even though she's never cooked a thing in her life; stir in one disgusted and down-on-men young Jersey girl in the form of Stephanie Plum, inept bounty hunter and all round cupcake; ssprinkle liberally with the secret ingredient (Stephanie's Grandma Mazur); and bring to a rolling boil by Stephanie working overtime at two jobs, helping the elusive Ranger track down an traitor in his company, keeping Grandma off the sauce, and picking up skips for her cousin Vinnie's bail bonds office. Be careful because this is hot stuff, but truly is finger lickin' good enough to make you want seconds.Those of you who have sworn off Evanovich in recent years with her same ol' same ol' formula stories just might want to get back into them at least long enough to read this one. Don't worry if you've skipped several of the numbers -- there's nothing here that needs much lead-in, and this has to be the funniest Plum in at least the last 7 episodes. There were dozens of places that made me giggle and one place (on page 163, in fact) that made me laugh so loud and so long that I disturbed six people in a doctor's waiting room and couldn't explain what the hell was so funny. I adore Stephanie Plum and her adventures never fail to be one of the bright spots in my summer. This one is a pip.
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LibraryThing member bleached
The latest Evanovich hit. Stephanie is still suffering from her man problems, car problems, and firebomb problems but this time the bad guys aren't out to get her, for once. This time they're after Lula but, of course, Stephanie has to be in the middle.
LibraryThing member khiemstra631
I can't quite figure if most of the gags have already been well-used in the fourteen+ books in the series, or if I, the reader, have just become immune to them and require ever more preposterous situations to be amused. That said, Finger Lickin' Fifteen has its amusing moments, but it is definitely
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a weaker link in the series. The book features the usual cast of characters with Lula taking a more prominent role while Morelli is relegated to a bit player. Ranger, meanwhile, is present throughout the book. That should make for a great book as these are some of my favorites playing major roles. But, somehow, the humor and the action seem a little forced and routine. How many cars could one woman reasonably expect to have set on fire? If you have not read Evanovich or not very many of her novels, you will probably love this book. If you are a major fan, prepare to be moderately entertained. I think it's all in your perspective. Show Less
LibraryThing member Romonko
I too love Janet Evanovich and her Stephanie Plum series, but I have been getting sadly disillusioned with the last few books. Fifteen did not pique my interest any more than thirteen and fourteen did. Maybe, after awhile, it gets difficult to keep coming up with funny scenarios and weird and
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strange people. But I think the biggest disappointment is that Stephanie has not matured, and she certainly hasn't learned from her mistakes. She just keeps doing the same thing over and over. It makes no difference if she gets covered in barbecue sauce, red paint or flour, it just same-old. I am truly sorry, but I just can't do this anymore. I have come to the end of the road for Stephanie Plum. Thanks for the good times Janet. Show Less
LibraryThing member brainella
I love Stephanie Plum books. They are funny and light, and always full of surprises. Lula, the reformed 'ho, takes center stage in this book. Along with Grandma Mazur, some barbecue sauce and some cars that blow up, it's non-stop antics and silliness.
It's a fun book. They all are. Don't look for
It's a fun book. They all are. Don't look for
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depth when there is humor. Show Less
LibraryThing member susiesharp
Another great romp in the berg by, Janet Evanovich!Lulu witnesses a murder and she is front and center in the book because of it.The murder victim is a cook famous for his BBQ sauce so she teams up with grandma to enter the contest the murdered chef was supposed to be in.Stephanie is working for
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Ranger as security consaltant plus still looking for skips with Vinnie.She is also off men which is hard fo rher as usual with the two men in her life Morelli & Ranger.I was happy there was lots of grandma who gets to use her dirty harry gun and Stephanie makes new records of getting cars blown up!With the tension at an all time high between her and Ranger and Morelli being chased by Joyce Barnhardt Stephanie has some big decisions to make!Who will she choose?Read the book to find out!This was a great addition to the Stephanie Plum Series! Show Less
LibraryThing member 7DogNight
While not Plum's widest adventure, it still was a fun read. Lula's finest all-time moment was being chased down the street by a pack of dogs determined to get her bacon. In this episode the scene featuring Lula wedged into the passenger window of Ranger's car firing at the bad guys was priceless.
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The gift of #15 is that supporting characters are fleshed out just a bit more - I enjoyed seeing Grandma M somewhere besides at a viewing or beauty parlor. Mr. Plum got in a few "licks" himself. And even the unflappable Ranger allowed a little illumination into what makes him tick. While not her best Plum, #15 is vintage Evanovitch. Show Less
LibraryThing member koalamom
Another fun-filled romp with Stephanie Plum and her cohorts. This time Lula unwittingly witnesses a murder and spends her time trying not to get offed herself. In the meantime Lula has decided to catch the crook by entering a barbecue contest that now has a vacancy - the murder victim. Stephanie
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spends her time helping Lula and also Ranger whose company is having a bit of a down turn as several of its clients are getting robbed even with all the latest equipment. She's also having to deal with her ever present feeling for both Ranger and Morelli. Never a dull moment with Stephanie - and just how many things does she manage to blow up this time? Show Less
LibraryThing member cal8769
Evanovich is back! After a few so-so Plum books, she has delivered another laugh at loud, good to the last page book. There are still lots of burnt up cars and slippery skipped bonds but the focus is more on Lulu, Ranger and Grandma instead of Stephanie.
LibraryThing member Kathy89
I really enjoyed this Stephanie Plum and laughed out loud in parts. The plot is pretty much the same but it's still a fun read. She's still the most inept bounty hunter on the planet and a terrible jinx when it comes to cars (4 destroyed in this book) but it's the interaction of main characters
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that makes it so enjoyable. The title refers to a barbecue sauce that Lula is attempting to make to win a reward for the capture of the murderers of a famous chef that she saw being decapitated. Show Less
LibraryThing member MarthaHuntley
Well, all the ingredients of a Stephanie Plum novel are here -- packed into another rerun of Janet Evanovich's one plo -- her delightful characters (especially Grandma Mazur and Lula), the steamy men Joe Morelli and Ranger, the exposure to danger, the junk food, the laughing-out-loud, the cars and
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apartment that get blown up and burned up, the conniving Joyce Barhardt, everyone but Stephanie packing heat. Stir in a barbecue contest and enjoy an hour or two of a fun, fast read. Show Less
LibraryThing member bermudaonion
Stephanie Plum is a bond enforcement officer for her cousin Vinnie. While she’s at the office one day, her sidekick, Lula, comes in claiming to have witnessed a murder. It turns out that she saw celebrity chef Stanley Chipotle being killed. The murderers find out that Lula was a witness, so
In the meantime, some of the residences and businesses that Ranger provides security for are being robbed and he asks Stephanie to help him catch those responsible.
Finger Lickin’ Fifteen is the latest installment in Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series. As usual, it’s a light, easy read full of fun, quirky characters. This book can easily be read in one sitting. Grandma Mazur and Lula are featured in this book a lot and they’re both usually good for a laugh. As always, there’s a lot of sexual tension between Stephanie and Joe and Stephanie and Ranger.
All of the books in this series can stand alone, but I suggest reading the series in order to fully appreciate the relationships between the characters. This was the perfect book for me to read at the beach since I didn’t have to concentrate too much on what was going on. Don’t expect great literature with this one, but if you need something light to read and/or are a fan of this series, I recommend it.
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they’re after her now. A reward has been offered for anyone who catches the murderer, so Lula’s signed up for a barbecue cook-off to try to catch them and collect a reward. Lula recruits Grandma Mazur to help with the cook-off, so of course, Stephanie’s involved too.In the meantime, some of the residences and businesses that Ranger provides security for are being robbed and he asks Stephanie to help him catch those responsible.
Finger Lickin’ Fifteen is the latest installment in Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series. As usual, it’s a light, easy read full of fun, quirky characters. This book can easily be read in one sitting. Grandma Mazur and Lula are featured in this book a lot and they’re both usually good for a laugh. As always, there’s a lot of sexual tension between Stephanie and Joe and Stephanie and Ranger.
All of the books in this series can stand alone, but I suggest reading the series in order to fully appreciate the relationships between the characters. This was the perfect book for me to read at the beach since I didn’t have to concentrate too much on what was going on. Don’t expect great literature with this one, but if you need something light to read and/or are a fan of this series, I recommend it.
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LibraryThing member busyreadin
As light reading goes, this one is definitely a 5! Much of the book centers on Lula, and she is at her best. After witnessing a man having his head cut off with a machete, she becomes involved in a bbq cookoff, dragging Stephanie and Grandma Mazur along. Stephanie is helping Ranger with a problem
One of my favorites; I'll listen to it again.
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at Rangeman, while trying to stay out of his bed, and she & Joe are on the outs (again).One of my favorites; I'll listen to it again.
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LibraryThing member hellonicole
A great addition to Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, Finger Lickin' Fifteen centers on Lula witnessing a murder. If you're a fan of the series, you probably don't need more than that to tell you the hilarity that scenario involves.
LibraryThing member trish.
Well, i waited eagerly for this book to come out hoping for a nice big "step" in ANY part of Stephanies life. I was hoping for a great epiphany where the book could be brought in a new exciting direction and i would be left happy if it ended OR possibly wanting more IF the plot could be lead in a
I feel like this series needs to come to an end! I love Evanovich and her writing/books, but i think im ready for some closure.
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new direction. But sadly, the book drones on just like the last few. I really enjoy this series but, enough is enough. It seems like we will be kept waiting forever! (reminiscent of archie comics and how it frustrated me that archie never could choose! And now, years later he picks veronica! WHAT!)I feel like this series needs to come to an end! I love Evanovich and her writing/books, but i think im ready for some closure.
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Awards
Delete Key Award (Finalist — 2010)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2009-06-23
Physical description
9.54 inches
ISBN
0312383282 / 9780312383282