From the back cover:

“Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is back, packing a whole lot of attitude—not to mention stun guns, defense sprays, killer flashlights, and a .38 Smith and Wesson—on the trail of Kenny Mancuso, who has just shot his best friend. Mancuso’s fresh out of the army and suspiciously wealthy. He’s also distantly related to Joe Morelli, a vice cop with ethics that lean toward the gray zone, a libido in permanent overdrive, and a habit of horning in on Stephanie’s investigations. Aided by her tough bounty hunter pal, Ranger, and her funeral-happy Grandma Mazur, Stephanie’s soon staggering knee-deep in corpses and caskets, trying to shake Morelli…and stirring up a very nasty enemy.”

OK, Stephanie has shown some improvement in her nabbing skills, and Morelli is giving her some due along with the flirting, so the series has satisfied my requirements from the last installment thus far. Now, I don’t know if civilians in Jersey are licensable for concealed carry, but that is Stephanie’s next step. I also believe it prudent if she takes some self-defense/disarmament classes no later than #4. I’ll give her #3 to realize she’s doing this professionally and that she’s going to get dangerous cases.

Couldn’t help myself, but I did laugh out loud at Grandma Mazur’s antics. I’m obviously not including this in the criteria of realistic progression. Heck, I read talking cat mysteries, so I can certainly tolerate this.

Previously published on BookCrossing.com, 2003