No. 12) (Stephanie Plum Novels) - Twelve Sharp (Stephanie Plum

Not enough reviews help prospective readers know more about this book. Obviously, if you're planning on reading this one you're a long-time fan, but it never hurts to know what's going on.

PLOT: Stephanie is accosted by a woman claiming to be Ranger's wife when Ranger goes MIA. The next day she hears his daughter down in Miami has been kidnapped and Ranger is suspected. Someone murders the "wife" and Ranger appears to move in with Steph, asking for her help in catching the man who has stolen his identity, and in a dangerous fantasy world has collected his daughter and now wants Stephanie to round out the fantasy. Stephanie, Morelli, and ranger all work as a team to flush out the nutcase all while Stephanie and Lula pretend to be bounty hunters.

PROS: Lula, Grandma Mazur, Sally Sweet are all back in awesome comedic form, you'll bust a gut more than the last few. Stephanie's cute Mini Cooper survives the entire novel with only 1 bullet to it. Stephanie grows up and finally tells Joe "I Love You." MUCH more mystery than the last one (frankly, the scenes in 11 that dealt with the mystery were so boring I skipped them).

CONS: I am sick of the whole Ranger-Steph thing. She almost sleeps with him, but doesn't. I don't see this going anywhere, and frankly I'm sick to death of the "will she? won't she?" suspense. (After all, if she does, her heart gets broken when he won't commit, and she breaks Morelli's heart.) Also, Stephanie's skills at bounty-huntery still suck, she just will never get better.

Overall, great. This was the first one I bought in hard copy, and it was worth it.

Let me begin by writing that I enjoyed this book a lot more than Eleven. However, I wonder how long it will take before we grow tired of the constant struggle between the two men in her life. Guess it's true that girls love bad boys. Anyways...

I think that Stephanie Plum did with this novel what Sue Grafton is failing miserably at with her's...give the readers what we like. We like the characters that you made us grow to love, the ones that make us laugh, the ones that make us keep coming back to the books.

The plot is interesting. I thought it was great how she gave us some variety with the bounty hunter runs on perverts and crazies as well as the main plot of finding a missing child. I must admit that I loved the way she made Ranger a human being in this novel. He did more than just appear in black and seduce her. We got to see a better side to him.

Kudos to Stephanie Plum for this one. However, be aware that you may need to settle on one guy. It doesn't have to be Ranger or even Morelli but it needs to stop at some point. It kinda gets ridiculous after a while.

Read this book if you want a fun, light read with some good humor.

Janet's tight writing, outstanding plot and creepy villain will keep you riveted to your seat as you ignore all outside disturbances because you simply can't put this book down. The sexual tension between Ranger and Steph and Joe is at an all-time high, and both the men are at their sexy best. A strange woman shows up in Trenton with a disturbing story about Ranger, but that's only the subplot to this engaging story that takes off like a shot and never slows down.

The great characters that JE is famous for return, along with a couple of new ones - one I especially liked was the multiplex-dwelling Melvin. Carolyn of Pleasure Treasures will make you laugh out loud, but the scene where Ranger checks out the flavor of the massage oil Steph bought will bring a different type of smile to your face.

After muddling through the last several Stephanie Plum novels, most of which were mediocre at best, I was surprised and delighted at reading 'Twelve Sharp'. The author clearly went down to basics. Firstly, the plot itself is a simple mystery (a kidnapping) that is easy to comprehend. Secondly, the author draws out laughs by focusing on the more zany characters (Lula and Grandma). And the author toned down on the sexual exploits and desires of the central character (Stephanie Plum) and the two men in her life. Obviously the author has been listening to her fans, perhaps by reading [...] reviews! Yes Janet, you did good.

Bottom line: clearly the best Stephanie Plum novels. Recommended to both fans and Stephanie Plum neophytes alike.

As the Plum series progresses, the font size seems to grow and the margins seem wider -- there's not as much there, there. For action, emotion, and plot development per page, number 12 in the series is my favorite. The sideline characters stay put and the front and center characters push forward. I choose this one to re-read. Ranger is hot and pre-occupied, Stephanie is focused and happily not dwelling on the challenge of juggling two men, she just does it. There's not too much silliness. Five stars!

This book's plot is a bit more serious than that of the earlier books but is still funny with Grandma, Lula and Sally.

Twelve Sharp's villian is once again crazy but this book is moving into modern day more than the others. Identity theft is a growing crime and I was pleased to see a new age theme with a great villian.

Also, I was ecstatic that Ranger was in this book so much and he camped out in Stephanie's apartment so there is no shortage of steamy scenes. I hate how Morelli and Ranger team up even though it is in her best interest, so I am glad Stephanie did not allow both of them to live in her apartment. I was excited to meet Ranger's daughter and was not disappointed by her personality and I loved that she ended this book with Ranger because it would have been a downer if she would have been with Morelli because this book was based on Ranger. - the endings never disappoint, i might add.

I loved this book- buy it!!!!

I'm a big fan of this series. But I didn't like this book very much. Just to make sure I wasn't imagining things, I read Twelve Sharp twice, and in certain chapters, the flow is just `off'; the dialogue is just `wrong'; the scenarios are stiff and uneasy; some characters are so totally `out of character' that I revised my opinions of them; and the central mystery/crime was really unbelievable and actually rather icky. I think JE had some help(?) writing this one. Like whole chapters worth of help. After all, she has done it before with Charlotte Hughes as a co-writer.

And who edited this book? I counted 10 discrepancies within the first several chapters. I lost count after that. This series is supposed to be in the crime/mystery genre, and JE did win some pretty prestigious crime-writers awards for the first few books, so I think she maybe needs to have a little accountability for the poor editing. One thing about crime writers is that they pretty much have to be on their game, detail-wise, and timeline-wise, regardless of how much humor or quirkiness they instill throughout the book. But the attention to detail and descriptions that are necessary in crime writing have pretty much disappeared, and so has most of the humor. Stephanie's apartment has been a central character in every one of the books, and now in 12 the writer refers to it as a condo? And the 7th floor apartment in Ranger's office building is now (officially) the infamous Batcave? When he specifically said in a previous book that it was not? "hunh"???

Twelve Sharp just wasn't very sharp at all. This time around I didn't like Stephanie, I didn't like Joe, and I didn't like Ranger or Grandma Mazur. I did like Melvin Pickle though. I noticed some other reviewers have said to just go with it and enjoy - that these books of hers are just fluff, easy beach reads, romance novels, whatever. I don't think so - they were excellent crime/mystery novels at one point, and I hope JE gets her groove back in 13 and beyond.

Each of Evanovich's Stephanie Plum, bounty hunter books gets funnier with her unusual cast of characters. She weaves into her story a "free spirit" grandmother, an ex-prostitute turned singer whose main gig is nursing homes, a mysterious sexy co-bounty hunter named Ranger and his group of colorful men, her boyfriend and lover Morrilli, cop, as well as an array of sought after bond skippers.
Centered around the kidnapping of Ranger's daughter, Julie, the adventure takes off when Ranger asks Stephanie to help find her. A light hearted and fun book to read.

I hold my breath between each Stephanie Plum book. I usually read it in 1-2 days and am already waiting for the next one. I read One for the Money and have read every one in order since. I have turned on several friends to the series and they are just as hooked as I am. I just ordered the 17th and can't wait. I've also read almost everything else by Janet Evanovich, but Stephanie is the best. Some people want her to grow up? Piddledy pooh! Do you also want Grandma to die? Be fun if Lula got pregnant with Tank's child, though... Dear Janet: Keep 'em coming and NEVER stop! (P.S. I'd chose Ranger...yum)

In "Twelve Sharp" we find Stephanie and cohorts up to their usual high jinks which are totally over-the-top and delightful. The main story is more serious than her usual adventures but the seriousness is toned down by periodic bits of comedy. Because it's Ranger's daughter that has been kidnapped, we get to know his character a little better, which means Morelli's character doesn't play as prominent a role in this story. I did find it a bit odd that at serious moments Ranger and Stephanie joked about the sexual tension betwewn them. However, perhaps that's what some people would do to ease the a tense situation.

This story had just the right amount of silliness to ease the child-kidnapper story. Even the maniac killer displayed moments of comedy after he kidnapped a "mother" for the child.

On a personal note, I hope Stephanie makes up her mind soon about the two men in her life. Its obvious that one would be better than the other, at least to me.

Stephanie Plum is back again in the (you guessed it!) 12th installment in this series. Stephanie and her sometimes boyfriend Joe are at their usual impasse. Plus, her ineptitude as a bounty hunter has her job on the line. That is until one of the biggest cases to ever hit The 'Burg lands in Stephanie's lap. Ultra-sexy and super cool bounty hunter Ranger needs Stephanie's help. His daughter has been kidnapped and he is a suspect. Ranger didn't do and being a wanted man puts a crimp in his ability to look for his child. He enlists Stephanie's help to track down the wacko who kidnapped his daughter. With Lula in tow and a new car just itching to be blown to bits, Stephanie heads out on her mission to find Ranger's little girl.

I LOVE Stephanie Plum. LOVE HER. Janet Evanovitch is the undisputed queen of Books that Make Me Laugh Aloud(tm). Reading a Stephanie Plum novel is pure fun from the moment you pick it up until you reach the final words. I know I personally can relate to Stephanie's antics, indecision, and general "girlness." She is such a fabulous character and she gets better in each new book. I loved 12 Sharp and I highly recommend it.

even though I can predict pretty much what will happen in any given book. Come on--you can too, right? Stephanie will get into all sorts of trouble that will necessitate lots of showers, shampoos, and leasing/purchasing of different vehicles (or, as is happening more frequently, borrowing of cars from Ranger's apparently-endless supply of black behemoths). Stephanie will eat doughnuts. Or she will eat other non-food-pyramid things. She and Lula will get into even more trouble, and Lula will squeeze herself into at least one item of clothing designed and sized for a woman half her size. Ranger and Morelli will both want Stephanie, but typically find ways to co-exist if it means keeping her alive. Ranger will say "Babe" at least a squillion times. Stephanie's family will drive her nuts, and her father will be driven insane by Steph's grandmother at least once. Something will be bl own up or will catch fire. Some felon or miscreant will escape through the (amazing) success of bodily contortions, or through the complete ineptness of the bounty hunters involved.

So.

Why do I continue to look forward to more Plum?

Sigh.

Perhaps because no matter how predictable some of the action is, I really LIKE Stephanie and Morelli and Ranger and Lula. I can't say I like Grandma Mazur, but she doesn't make me want to go postal, either, except for the funeral parlor stuff she can't seem to stop doing and which makes me twitchy.

I like the slow reveal of Ranger's past (although, truth be told, I'd like that reveal to be a little less slow).

I really like Morelli, but I think he ought to get off his duff and issue an ultimatum or two or three.

In the end, the Plum novels are, for me, like family gatherings filled with predictable people you mostly love and tolerate, but who sometimes make you pee yourself laughing and who often just make you glad they're around.

Ranger has gone to Florida and soon after his daughter disappears. A crazy woman, claiming to be Ranger's wife, takes a shot at Stephanie and soon after her murdered corpse is found in a vehicle parked outside the bonds office where Stephanie works.

There's plenty of humor in this Plum of a novel but the book cuts a little sharper and a little deeper. We laugh, but Evanovich shows she she can keep us on tenderhooks and crying seems to be a real possibility, especially as Stephanie sits tied up in her apartment with a homicidal maniac, waiting for the door to open so the murder can kill one of the two men she loves. Which one?

Yes, I'm a Janet Evanovich/Stephanie Plum fan. I look forward to each new installment in this series. The latest is Twelve Sharp, and I finally made it to the top of the hold list at the local library. And as always, it was well worth the wait. My only complaint is that I finish them too quickly...

Stephanie, Lula, Morelli, and Ranger are back at it again... running down bail jumpers and criminals in "the Burg". Ranger goes "off-line" down to Miami to take care of some bad business, as he puts it. But while he's gone, his "wife" shows up and is ready to kill Stephanie to find Ranger. Since Ranger has never mentioned a wife, Stephanie's a bit concerned, especially when she's staring down the barrel of a gun. While the wife is staking out the bond office following Plum everywhere, she meets an untimely demise at the hands of "Ranger". Ranger returns to find everyone looking for him as the prime suspect of both the murder and the kidnapping of his daughter (another fact that Stephanie didn't know about). He has to remain hidden until he can flush out the imposter, find his daughter, and also prevent Plum from getting killed by psycho-Ranger. And of course, all this protection involves close contact between Ranger, Morelli, and Plum (whose hormones are in overdrive)...

Evanovich has an incredible knack for painting vivid scenes that are improbably funny. Lula, "Sally", and Grandma appear in major doses, and I'd love to see these characters make it to the big screen. It'd be a hoot. The main element in this story is Ranger's mortal-ness. He's finally in a situation he can't solve, he has to keep himself under control in situations where he really just wants to kill someone, and he really does bleed. The final scene is more intense than usual, and had the doctor called me back a few minutes earlier I would have told him to wait until I finished. :)

A great installment in the Plum series, and I can't wait for #13...

The adventures of Stephanie Plum are always quite the adventure. Stephanie's adventures this time begin when Vinnie needs some of his FTA's captured. He has to many bonds out and needs the money. As usual Stephanie and Lulu get themselves into some rather interesting and at times awkward situation.

The first of the two major FTA's captured in Twelve Sharp is visiting a place called Pleasure Treasure to apprehend a FTA. Stephanie and Lulu purchased items on several different occasions in order to bring in the owner because of a petty theft charge. It was hilarious as I could just see Stephanie and Lulu picking through an adult novelty store. The best part was when Ranger was camping out at Stephanie's apartment (see next adventure) and saw the bag. I was laughing so hard I was almost in tears. Oh yeah, during this same time Joe Morelli moves in to make sure Ranger is not "moving in" in a dating sense on Stephanie.

All the while, Ranger has been accused of abducting his daughter and killing his wife. However, it is not Ranger it is a man named Scog. He has been watching Ranger for some time and is trying to become Ranger. In the process, he (Scog) stalks Stephanie, dresses like a woman, uses a taser her on several occasions and last but not least kidnaps her and straps a homemade bomb to her. She gets herself in quite the predicament!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the next one.

I loved loved loved number twelve! Hadn't laughed that hard since eight and nine and was beginning to worry that Evanovich had run out of soap. NOT SO. I read her books strictly for the laughs and no-brainer entertainment. Made the mistake of reading it on a cross country flight and frightened fellow passangers with my hysterical laughter and tears. They must have thought I was off my medication. Will read thirteen with avid anticipation. Plum fans that whine about plot tedium are missing the point of this Jersey girl. She is NOT Scarlet O'Hara. She is just plan old fun and what's wrong with that? If you want War and Peace, then read it and leave the Plum novels for the rest of us fun junkies.

I love Stephanie Plum novels, and I devour each one of them. In this, number twelve in the series, Ranger's wife is after Stephanie and later a wanna-be Ranger stalks her. It's excellent plot-wise - probably the best of plot in the series. Not quite enough of the Plum family in it (but then I can never get enough) and Ms. Evanovich sacrificed humor for plot. Instead of a ho-hum story with great humor, she has a great storyline with not as much humor as usual. Stephanie is more realistic about Morelli in this book. One thing I did not like was Stephanie trying to shake her bodyguards twice, when a raving maniac was after her. It seemed to go against the grain of her character. She is admittedly "not brave". I thought it a noticeable fictional move, in an otherwise very alive novel.

In the latest venture of the Stephanie Plum series, Stephanie's back to work as a bounty hunter and teaming up with former filing clerk Lula when Lula isn't singing with the rock band, What. Joe Morelli's still around as the hot boyfriend and mystery man Ranger's off to Miami. Things go haywire when a woman who claims to be Ranger's wife shows up and shoots at Stephanie. Then Ranger disappears after he is accused of kidnapping his little girl, who lives with her mother and stepfather in Miami. When the woman who claims to be Ranger's wife is murdered, Stephanie's out to prove Ranger's innocence, unaware she's attracted the attention of a Ranger wannabe.

Anything goes and a lot happens with this 12th installment. Janet Evanovich proves herself the master of wit with dialogue to die for and plenty of humor topped with loads of action. The triangle between Stephanie, Morelli, and Ranger continues but a new relationship has been added to the mix: Lula and Tank, Ranger's number one man. Highly recommended.

I'm very much a Stephanie Plum fan, so when Twelve Sharp was released, I had no hesitations reading it. This was somewhat different from the typical "Plum" bounty-hunter books however, in that the wacko and sometimes over-the-top characters populating Stephanie's life from previous books are missing. Instead, the book centers on Stephanie's mysterious bounty-hunter colleague Carlos Manoso, aka Ranger. The absence of the Plum clan (not to mention Granny Mazur) as well as Lula, Connie and Vinnie is a refreshing change from Evanovich's previous works.

In Twelve Sharp, Stephanie is called upon to help clear Ranger's name from a kidnapping and murder. To do this, she must keep him hidden in her own "safe house" (i.e., her apartment) and do legwork to find out 1) who is the imposter stealing Ranger's name, identity and daughter; and 2) where the imposter is.

While the "will-she-won't-she" subplot of Stephanie clmbing into bed with Ranger is getting a little stale -- I really wish she would make up her mind already -- I liked what Evanovich did by making Ranger an actual human being with actual human feelings. Through her portrayal of Ranger, the author strips away his hard-core, bounty-hunter indestructable image to reveal a vulnerable, frightened man beneath. It made the character that much more appealing.

It was also touching that Ranger turned to Stephanie for assistance when he needed it. In most of the other Plum novels, Ranger is getting Stephanie out of scrapes. It was nice to see the tables turned, and great to see Stephanie portrayed as a strong and supportive character, rather than the bounty hunter ditz she usually is.

Hopefully Evanovich will be smart and continue expanding her characters in future Stephanie Plumb novels. I liked the human Ranger; even better, I liked the resourceful Stephanie.

It is always with great anticipation that I wait for the next book in this WONDERFUL series! And this one, as the other 11, does NOT disappoint! This book is even better than previous ones!

Stephanie is at it again! How Ms. Evanovich keeps everything fresh, funny, and exciting is a gift from God above! Her books are NEVER boring, NEVER dull, and most important, NEVER repetitive.

One of my favorite characters is Grandma! That woman cracks me up! All of the rest of the characters do not disappoint and just keep getting funnier and funnier. It is so much fun to read these books -- they keep you guessing, surprise you, and also make you LAUGH. Laughter is the best!

Love that Stephanie is torn between two lovers -- who do you root for? Can't she just keep seeing both of them?

Love all the dialogue, plots, situations, EVERYTHING about this series. I must admit when I first saw the first few books at the stores, my first thought was THESE LOOK SOOOOO STUPID -- and then, I wised up -- got the first two and read them in like what seemed SECONDS. Quickly got the rest of the series, LOVED them, and now, like the rest of the world, I wait and wait for the next one to come out. Then, I HATE to start reading it because I know I won't put it down and then it will be OVER and I go back to waiting, waiting, waiting!

But isn't getting there most of the fun? Good work, excellent read! If for some reason you have never read this series,in a way, you are lucky! You have 12 great books to read and enjoy!!!! Start with number one and just enjoy yourself!

Thank you! Pam

This is one of my favorite books in the series. There's a crazy person out there who wants to take on Ranger's life. He's already kidnapped his daughter and next on the list is Stephanie. For comic relief we have a group of bounty hunter prospects that make Lulu and Stephanie look like expert and a band featuring Sally Sweet, Lulu and Grandma Mazur. Although I'm getting a little tired of the love triangle, and find Stephanie's indecision annoying, I do really enjoy seeing the way Morelli and Ranger work together.

For me, the Stephanie Plum books are like junk food for the brain; they're good in a bad sort of way and you want to devour them in one sitting. This one didn't disappoint, but after 12 books I was kind of hoping for a little more growth from my favorite bounty hunter. She's only slightly less inept than she was the first time she set out to nab her first "FTA", still can't choose between Ranger and Morelli (oh to have such a problem!) and still gets into more trouble in one book than most people see in a lifetime. However, if she were any more stable and skilled, she just wouldn't be Stephanie Plum.

Review of Twelve Sharp (Stephanie Plum Novels)

This was so much better than book Eleven. This one had a story line and Morelli was not emasculated in this book, which to me is not only much more rewarding, but also truer to his character.

There were 4 to 5 laugh out loud scenes and the grandma dancing had me in tears.

It was good to see more of Ranger and who he is and it makes him a bit more available.

The two negatives of this book

1. The love triangle is getting really really creepy and I hope that Janet can find a way to make this all turn out good. She's gone to great lengths to have us like these three characters and I don't want that to be messed up, but this triangle is in a very bad place now and needs to be cleared up and life long friendships established.

2. Even though there is a love triangle going on I don't see that much of a connection between Stephanie and her two beau's. I read all the intimate moments on the paper, but those words are not translating to emotion for me. It may be that because she can't decide that to me she is distancing herself and as a result is just going along and doing what is expected of her but because she's not able to commit there is no umph behind the actions.

Both these issues, in my opinion, need to change for the better for this series to keep it's existing and future reader base.

Bottom Line: Buy it. It's worth multiple read throughs.

It's business as usual at Vinnie's bonding agency. Stephanie Plum, perhaps the second worst bounty hunter in New Jersey (her recently licensed sidekick Lula edged her out for first place), is staked out waiting for a bond jumper to surface when a woman in black walks up to her car and introduces herself as Ranger's wife. Carmen Manoso claims that Ranger has married her, dumped her, emptied their bank account and fled the scene, all within the last six months. This comes as a major jolt to Stephanie who knows little about the mysterious and secretive Ranger, but finds it impossible to believe he is dishonorable enough to have done this to any woman, including herself.

Carmen, convinced he's shacking up with Stephanie, proves how upset she is by firing a bullet into the rear fender of Stephanie's new Morris Minnie. Carmen proceeds to stake out the bond agency around the clock, waiting for Ranger to show up. Meanwhile, it checks out that Ranger is missing along with his 12-year-old daughter who has been kidnapped from her birthmother and stepfather in Miami, launching an all-points search for Ranger. Stephanie knows little about Ranger's daughter except that he has maintained a good relationship with her and her birth mother. Facts just don't add up, and Stephanie launches a search of her own.

For the first time, Janet Evanovich fleshes out the elusive Ranger. Left to our own devices, most readers have imagined (or fantasized about) what he looks like, who he really is and how he became the head of a global, super-secret private security force. Now we get a glimpse of the private Ranger as he goes to ground until his personal problems are resolved.

Ranger's higher profile doesn't edge out Joe Morelli, who is ever stalwart, sexy and faithful, despite the complicating involvement between Ranger and Stephanie when she finally catches up with him. Fans will welcome the continuing antics of Grandma Mazur, Lula and Sally Sweet. A most unlikely rock-and-roll band gives new definition to the term "moonlighting." Stiva's Funeral Home, under new management after the demise of the former owner in ELEVEN ON TOP, continues as a pivotal setting for the action-filled events triggered by Ranger's disappearance.

The new plot twists, along with familiar characters, pretty much guarantees a continuation of the phenomenal success of the Stephanie Plum series. It was time to learn more about Ranger --- can Janet Evanovich surprise us again?

--- Reviewed by Roz Shea

As indicated in my reviews of other recent books in the Plum series, I was losing interest in this series and losing faith in Evanovich. I had read #10 and was considering whether to even bother buying #11 when a few online friends and fellow Plum fans started to rave about #12, which was newly in hardcover. That was enough to get me to buy #11 just so I could go into #12 with all the history complete. I quickly read #11 and then delved into Twelve Sharp with my expectations high.

Twelve Sharp has restored my faith in this series and its author. It was funny, engaging, scary/creepy/exciting, sexy and even touching to boot. There were times when it seemed a LITTLE out of character for Ranger, but I'm not complaining--it was a really good story. The ongoing triangle between Stephanie, Ranger and Morelli took a step forward in this book and it was about time. Oh, that's not to say the dilemma about her feelings for these two men is OVER, but I think that she at least understands her feelings and the situation more than she did before.

It felt good to laugh out loud at a Plum book again--multiple times, in fact. From Stephanie talking Melvin Pickle down off a ledge to Lula's outrageous band outfits and Grandma's funeral home antics, #12 was a hoot (Dad finally speaks up--and it was worth waiting for).

Thanks, Janet. All feels right with the world again. :)

First of all I like the Stephanie Plum series. I have read all twelve books in the last three weeks. I am a big fan of Janet Evanovich's writing. This book is a good and fast read.

I am personally a fan of Morelli, but I like Ranger too. I like that she shared more about Ranger. I didn't like how Ranger dealt with the kidnapping. As a parent of a child who was in a life/death situation, the LAST thing on your mind is sex. My husband had absolutely NO desire for sex, wouldn't even eat until he knew she was out of danger. He was focused 100% on our daughter. There were days that he didn't sleep at all. He wouldn't have noticed a naked woman if she walked up to him. So, I had a really hard time with the antics going on between Ranger and Stephanie. Maybe it is the fact that I am a parent, but I haven't seen the tone of any other book about the abduction of a child handled this lightly. IMHO

I read in another of Janet's books that she doesn't do well with writing emotional scenes and getting into people's heads. That is probably why things were handled the way they were. I don't see the triangle being resolved until the last book of the series. She said she is not going to age her characters. The tension between the three of them is what makes it interesting to most people. If she decides on one over the other at this point, she is going to lose that tension. Also, if you are not going to age your characters, and they get married and have children, there is no way that you can keep from aging them. Readers are not going to believe a six month old baby remains that for how many more books.

It doesn't matter that the Stephanie Plum novels are all alike, never resolve any issues, never change format. They always deliver! Twelve sharp is no exception; I laughed aloud through the entire story, as I invariably do.

Here we have our Steph up to her Jersey-girl do in trouble again. This time, mystery-man Ranger is a wanted man, quite a change from things past. He is accused of kidnapping his daughter and murdering his wife. We know, and Stephani knows, that he didn't do it. But we're the only ones.

While bumbling her way through her usual messy bounty-hunting with sidekick Lula (who has now joined a rock band with the transvestite Sally, don't ask), Stephanie has a much more serious agenda: The REAL murderer is stalking her. And a young girl's life is at stake.

All our regulars are here; there's a new gay couple running Stiva's Funeral Home (regulars to the series will know how important that is) and Grandma Mazur is up to her usual tricks at the viewings. The only people missing are Stephanie's sister Valerie and her husband Alfred Klown. I missed them sorely, but had quite enough to keep me highly amused anyway.

Looking forward to Lucky Number 13!

The plot of this is more serious than that in any of the previous books (identity theft by a sociopath; child abduction). Additionally, there's a recognition that Stephanie's ambivalence in regard to Morelli and Ranger involves more than simple indecisiveness or immaturity.

As a final note, I worry about the focus of reviewers who call Stephanie Plum an "incompetent" bounty hunter. There's still slapstick (an integral part of the humor/comedy of the series) and she experiences pratfalls. However, most of the time, she accomplishes her task and brings the targeted FTA in.

After a disappointing 11th book, Janet seems back on her game, maybe taking it to another level with TWELVE SHARP. This one is about Ranger, who it turns out has been married and has a daughter. The daughter has been kidnapped, and it appears she was kidnapped by Ranger. But looks can be deceiving, and it's Stephanie to the rescue.

This book adds some depth to Evanovich's characters, particularly Ranger, who seems to be developing a softer side as the series progresses. Morelli plays more of a background role in this one, although the baiting and warring over Stephanie between Ranger and Morelli is hilarious. Of course, all the crazies are back as is the requisite funeral home disaster, but everything seems to work in this book. I thought I'd given up on this series, but now I'm more intriqued than ever. Good Job, Janet! Keep 'em coming.

Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum's life in the Burg is still going strong. She and her ex-hooker partner Lula head out in Stephanie's Mini Cooper and bring in a handful of FTA's, all while Stephanie puzzles over what has become of her buddy Ranger. Ranger, the oh-so-hot bounty hunter/security specialist who's been keeping Stephanie from truly committing to her boyfriend Morelli, has gone off the grid. Meanwhile, he's wanted for questioning in the disappearance of a little girl in Florida, and a woman claiming to be his wife keeps following Stephanie. At the same time, Lula and transvestite Sally Sweet keep trying to find the right costumes for their band, which found its niche on the nursing home circuit, the funeral home has been taken over by a new couple, and Grandma Mazur is as much fun as ever. There are laughs on just about every page, and once I laughed so hard I got tears in my eyes. A few recurring characters did not make an appearance this time, but Stephanie's dad has a few good lines.

If I have a complaint, it's that Stephanie's dilemma over Morelli and Ranger is getting stale. It's obvious that Morelli is her man, and Ranger is just someone she's very attracted to and slept with once. Surely there must be a way to keep the heat between Ranger and Stephanie and still allow her relationship with Morelli to grow, but she's been stuck in the same spot for several books.

In all, I got just what I expected from this book. Stephanie and Lula, incompetent as they are, out on the streets chasing bad guys, dinners at the Plum household, and heated moments with Morelli and Ranger, all done with a great sense of humor. This is a series that continues to deliver.

This 'book' was my first Stephanie Plum novel, and also my first audio CD of a book. I was a little aprehensive on both counts, but was very pleased. The story itself was engaging, fast paced, and kept me interested, and even better I didn't feel like I stepped into the middle of a story, like some book series feel, for not having read any of the previous 11. As for the audio CD, I mainly tried it so that I could listen while working out. It was great. The reader, Lorilai King, (sp), was very engaging, and really brought the characters to life, keeping me from feeling confused if it wasn't necessarily specified which character was speaking. I am now hooked on the book listening experience!

Janet Evanovich almost returns to form with this book, but it doesn't have the zip and sparkle of books 1-7. Diehard fans of the Plum Series will probably love 12 Sharp

Pros:
* Better than books 8-11.
* Potential in new characters - Dave and Scooter who took over the Funeral Home and Melvin Pickle were all good.
* Lula and Tank have got together. Yess!!! Given the personalities, there's lots of mileage in this relationship
* Grandma Mazur, Stephanie's Mom and Dad all put in appearances. I love the writing with them around the dinner table and Grandma Mazur joins Sally Sweet's band as a singer.
* Stephanie's car did not break down or blow up
* Bob the dog didn't barf or poop. That got old really quickly in previous books.
* Reasonable quota of laughs, but not as many as earlier work

Cons:
* Joe and Stephanie relationship not written with as much wit, sparkle or excitement
* Ranger / Joe / Stephanie triangle tacky and I so sick of this still unresolved in book after book
* Morelli morphing into a dimwitted wimp. Come on Janet, he is smart and HOT!!
* Stephanie still hopeless at bounty hunting
* Stephanie is less likeable - is more trashy and vulgar
* No Grandma Bella Morelli
* Very lightweight in mystery/adventure content
* Seemed to be shorter than earlier books, not very good value for money
* Ending a bit lame and you could see it coming a mile off
* Lots of discrepancies, possibly not all Ms Evanovich's own work, poor editing

The plot - Ranger's daughter is kidnapped, and we learn more about Ranger the person. The more I learn about him, the less I like Ranger. He supports his daughter financially, but admits to not letting himself be emotionally involved with her. I found this a really selfish attitude and Ranger continues to go down in my estimation.

Unfortunately the relationship with Joe and Stephanie didn't have some of the clever writing seen in the earlier books. One thing I take issue with is that Evanovich is now writing Joe as a dumb wimp who doesn't even realize that Stephanie is rolling around naked in bed with Ranger when he arrives at the door. The guy is a detective, he is not stupid. Also, as someone from an Italian family with 4 brothers, and married to an Italian male, I know that no Italian male would put up with his girlfriend spending so much time with another man.

Stephanie has become less mature in many ways. I think the Ranger/Joe/Stephanie triangle is tacky. She is cheating on Joe. If it were Joe cheating on Stephanie, we would be outraged and expect her to tell him to get lost. As a reader I don't want Stephanie to be so heartless, immoral and self-absorbed to be involved with Joe and Ranger at the same time. If Joe dumps her and she turns to Ranger, then maybe it would be acceptable, but barely. When Stephanie had split from Joeand slept with Ranger in Hard 8, Ranger made it clear he doesn't want a relationship and sent her back to Joe. Is Stephanie that shallow or that stupid to get some cheap thrills with Ranger and hurt Joe? I don't think she is. I'd rather that Stephanie and Joe retain some of the sparkle of their earlier relationship. Ranger is best when he is the shadowy, action-hero figure in the background.

It would be nice to see Stephanie moving forward in her relationship with Joe and having a degree of competence in her job.

As Vinny is having trouble keeping the business afloat with too many FTAs (Failure To Appear) why doesn't he diversify? I can see plenty of mileage and laughs in him adding bodyguard services as part of the business. This would give plenty of opportunity to introduce new characters and storylines.

I've read every book in the Stephanie Plum series and was beginning to think that the series had run its course - the books had become too repetitive and predictable. Well, Twelve Sharp changed my mind. It's got slapstick humour, suspense, sexual tension and all the inimitable characters Plum fans have come to know and love - Stephanie, of course, and Morelli, Ranger, Grandma Mazur, Lula, Connie, Cousin Vinnie, and Stephanie's parents (thankfully, sister Valerie and her family are out of the picture, and I hope they stay that way).

In the 12th book in the Stephanie Plum mystery series, we find Stephanie still chugging along as a bounty hunter. She's not a great bounty hunter, but manages to catch fugitives with the help of sidekick, Lula (a very large former prostitute), and sizzling-hot Ranger. Normally, Ranger bails Stephanie out of dangerous situations, but in this installment, it is Stephanie's turn to help Ranger. It seems that Ranger's daughter has been kidnapped...by a Ranger look-alike. Everyone assumes that Ranger is the one who took his own daughter from the home of his ex-wife and stepfather, so while he is searching for his missing daughter, he must also dodge crazed bounty hunters and various law enforcement agents. Stephanie finds herself being stalked...by a woman claiming to be Ranger's wife. So, while hunting for old skips (to keep the bond business afloat), Stephanie must keep her stalker at bay and assists Ranger in finding his little girl.

This series is hilarious! I love the quirky characters in this series, and laugh-out-loud at their antics. Stephanie does some very funny things, and Grandma Mazur is one of my favorite characters. When she dressed up in black leather pants and a cone-bra to perform in a band with Lula, I laughed so hard that I cried. My husband immediately thought I had gone nuts, and my retelling of the chapter did not do it justice. I also found the scenes with Stephanie and Lula in an "adult store" hilarious as well. And I found the descriptions of the would-be bounty hunters (copycats of "Dog" Chapman) to be very entertaining. I was mildly surprised that Stephanie managed not to blow up her "Mini", or her apartment...but found this book to be even more entertaining than the last several have been. This is a great book by a fabulously funny author!

The first book in the series is called "One for the Money". Enjoy!

It actually had a plausible plot with suspense. Of course the cast of characters was in full play. New funeral home owners. It was funny and she didn't repeat some of the old jokes previous books had. Ex: Grandfather has gone to the big Deli (or something else) in the sky.

First of all I like the Stephanie Plum series. I have read all twelve books in the last three weeks. I am a big fan of Janet Evanovich's writing. This book is a good and fast read.

I am personally a fan of Morelli, but I like Ranger too. I like that she shared more about Ranger. I didn't like how Ranger dealt with the kidnapping. As a parent of a child who was in a life/death situation, the LAST thing on your mind is sex. My husband had absolutely NO desire for sex, wouldn't even eat until he knew she was out of danger. He was focused 100% on our daughter. There were days that he didn't sleep at all. He wouldn't have noticed a naked woman if she walked up to him. So, I had a really hard time with the antics going on between Ranger and Stephanie. Maybe it is the fact that I am a parent, but I haven't seen the tone of any other book about the abduction of a child handled this lightly. IMHO

I read in another of Janet's books that she doesn't do well with writing emotional scenes and getting into people's heads. That is probably why things were handled the way they were. I don't see the triangle being resolved until the last book of the series. She said she is not going to age her characters. The tension between the three of them is what makes it interesting to most people. If she decides on one over the other at this point, she is going to lose that tension. Also, if you are not going to age your characters, and they get married and have children, there is no way that you can keep from aging them. Readers are not going to believe a six month old baby remains that for how many more books.

It doesn't matter that the Stephanie Plum novels are all alike, never resolve any issues, never change format. They always deliver! Twelve sharp is no exception; I laughed aloud through the entire story, as I invariably do.

Here we have our Steph up to her Jersey-girl do in trouble again. This time, mystery-man Ranger is a wanted man, quite a change from things past. He is accused of kidnapping his daughter and murdering his wife. We know, and Stephani knows, that he didn't do it. But we're the only ones.

While bumbling her way through her usual messy bounty-hunting with sidekick Lula (who has now joined a rock band with the transvestite Sally, don't ask), Stephanie has a much more serious agenda: The REAL murderer is stalking her. And a young girl's life is at stake.

All our regulars are here; there's a new gay couple running Stiva's Funeral Home (regulars to the series will know how important that is) and Grandma Mazur is up to her usual tricks at the viewings. The only people missing are Stephanie's sister Valerie and her husband Alfred Klown. I missed them sorely, but had quite enough to keep me highly amused anyway.

Looking forward to Lucky Number 13!

The plot of this is more serious than that in any of the previous books (identity theft by a sociopath; child abduction). Additionally, there's a recognition that Stephanie's ambivalence in regard to Morelli and Ranger involves more than simple indecisiveness or immaturity.

As a final note, I worry about the focus of reviewers who call Stephanie Plum an "incompetent" bounty hunter. There's still slapstick (an integral part of the humor/comedy of the series) and she experiences pratfalls. However, most of the time, she accomplishes her task and brings the targeted FTA in.

After a disappointing 11th book, Janet seems back on her game, maybe taking it to another level with TWELVE SHARP. This one is about Ranger, who it turns out has been married and has a daughter. The daughter has been kidnapped, and it appears she was kidnapped by Ranger. But looks can be deceiving, and it's Stephanie to the rescue.

This book adds some depth to Evanovich's characters, particularly Ranger, who seems to be developing a softer side as the series progresses. Morelli plays more of a background role in this one, although the baiting and warring over Stephanie between Ranger and Morelli is hilarious. Of course, all the crazies are back as is the requisite funeral home disaster, but everything seems to work in this book. I thought I'd given up on this series, but now I'm more intriqued than ever. Good Job, Janet! Keep 'em coming.

Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum's life in the Burg is still going strong. She and her ex-hooker partner Lula head out in Stephanie's Mini Cooper and bring in a handful of FTA's, all while Stephanie puzzles over what has become of her buddy Ranger. Ranger, the oh-so-hot bounty hunter/security specialist who's been keeping Stephanie from truly committing to her boyfriend Morelli, has gone off the grid. Meanwhile, he's wanted for questioning in the disappearance of a little girl in Florida, and a woman claiming to be his wife keeps following Stephanie. At the same time, Lula and transvestite Sally Sweet keep trying to find the right costumes for their band, which found its niche on the nursing home circuit, the funeral home has been taken over by a new couple, and Grandma Mazur is as much fun as ever. There are laughs on just about every page, and once I laughed so hard I got tears in my eyes. A few recurring characters did not make an appearance this time, but Stephanie's dad has a few good lines.

If I have a complaint, it's that Stephanie's dilemma over Morelli and Ranger is getting stale. It's obvious that Morelli is her man, and Ranger is just someone she's very attracted to and slept with once. Surely there must be a way to keep the heat between Ranger and Stephanie and still allow her relationship with Morelli to grow, but she's been stuck in the same spot for several books.

In all, I got just what I expected from this book. Stephanie and Lula, incompetent as they are, out on the streets chasing bad guys, dinners at the Plum household, and heated moments with Morelli and Ranger, all done with a great sense of humor. This is a series that continues to deliver.

This 'book' was my first Stephanie Plum novel, and also my first audio CD of a book. I was a little aprehensive on both counts, but was very pleased. The story itself was engaging, fast paced, and kept me interested, and even better I didn't feel like I stepped into the middle of a story, like some book series feel, for not having read any of the previous 11. As for the audio CD, I mainly tried it so that I could listen while working out. It was great. The reader, Lorilai King, (sp), was very engaging, and really brought the characters to life, keeping me from feeling confused if it wasn't necessarily specified which character was speaking. I am now hooked on the book listening experience!

Janet Evanovich almost returns to form with this book, but it doesn't have the zip and sparkle of books 1-7. Diehard fans of the Plum Series will probably love 12 Sharp

Pros:
* Better than books 8-11.
* Potential in new characters - Dave and Scooter who took over the Funeral Home and Melvin Pickle were all good.
* Lula and Tank have got together. Yess!!! Given the personalities, there's lots of mileage in this relationship
* Grandma Mazur, Stephanie's Mom and Dad all put in appearances. I love the writing with them around the dinner table and Grandma Mazur joins Sally Sweet's band as a singer.
* Stephanie's car did not break down or blow up
* Bob the dog didn't barf or poop. That got old really quickly in previous books.
* Reasonable quota of laughs, but not as many as earlier work

Cons:
* Joe and Stephanie relationship not written with as much wit, sparkle or excitement
* Ranger / Joe / Stephanie triangle tacky and I so sick of this still unresolved in book after book
* Morelli morphing into a dimwitted wimp. Come on Janet, he is smart and HOT!!
* Stephanie still hopeless at bounty hunting
* Stephanie is less likeable - is more trashy and vulgar
* No Grandma Bella Morelli
* Very lightweight in mystery/adventure content
* Seemed to be shorter than earlier books, not very good value for money
* Ending a bit lame and you could see it coming a mile off
* Lots of discrepancies, possibly not all Ms Evanovich's own work, poor editing

The plot - Ranger's daughter is kidnapped, and we learn more about Ranger the person. The more I learn about him, the less I like Ranger. He supports his daughter financially, but admits to not letting himself be emotionally involved with her. I found this a really selfish attitude and Ranger continues to go down in my estimation.

Unfortunately the relationship with Joe and Stephanie didn't have some of the clever writing seen in the earlier books. One thing I take issue with is that Evanovich is now writing Joe as a dumb wimp who doesn't even realize that Stephanie is rolling around naked in bed with Ranger when he arrives at the door. The guy is a detective, he is not stupid. Also, as someone from an Italian family with 4 brothers, and married to an Italian male, I know that no Italian male would put up with his girlfriend spending so much time with another man.

Stephanie has become less mature in many ways. I think the Ranger/Joe/Stephanie triangle is tacky. She is cheating on Joe. If it were Joe cheating on Stephanie, we would be outraged and expect her to tell him to get lost. As a reader I don't want Stephanie to be so heartless, immoral and self-absorbed to be involved with Joe and Ranger at the same time. If Joe dumps her and she turns to Ranger, then maybe it would be acceptable, but barely. When Stephanie had split from Joeand slept with Ranger in Hard 8, Ranger made it clear he doesn't want a relationship and sent her back to Joe. Is Stephanie that shallow or that stupid to get some cheap thrills with Ranger and hurt Joe? I don't think she is. I'd rather that Stephanie and Joe retain some of the sparkle of their earlier relationship. Ranger is best when he is the shadowy, action-hero figure in the background.

It would be nice to see Stephanie moving forward in her relationship with Joe and having a degree of competence in her job.

As Vinny is having trouble keeping the business afloat with too many FTAs (Failure To Appear) why doesn't he diversify? I can see plenty of mileage and laughs in him adding bodyguard services as part of the business. This would give plenty of opportunity to introduce new characters and storylines.

I've read every book in the Stephanie Plum series and was beginning to think that the series had run its course - the books had become too repetitive and predictable. Well, Twelve Sharp changed my mind. It's got slapstick humour, suspense, sexual tension and all the inimitable characters Plum fans have come to know and love - Stephanie, of course, and Morelli, Ranger, Grandma Mazur, Lula, Connie, Cousin Vinnie, and Stephanie's parents (thankfully, sister Valerie and her family are out of the picture, and I hope they stay that way).

In the 12th book in the Stephanie Plum mystery series, we find Stephanie still chugging along as a bounty hunter. She's not a great bounty hunter, but manages to catch fugitives with the help of sidekick, Lula (a very large former prostitute), and sizzling-hot Ranger. Normally, Ranger bails Stephanie out of dangerous situations, but in this installment, it is Stephanie's turn to help Ranger. It seems that Ranger's daughter has been kidnapped...by a Ranger look-alike. Everyone assumes that Ranger is the one who took his own daughter from the home of his ex-wife and stepfather, so while he is searching for his missing daughter, he must also dodge crazed bounty hunters and various law enforcement agents. Stephanie finds herself being stalked...by a woman claiming to be Ranger's wife. So, while hunting for old skips (to keep the bond business afloat), Stephanie must keep her stalker at bay and assists Ranger in finding his little girl.

This series is hilarious! I love the quirky characters in this series, and laugh-out-loud at their antics. Stephanie does some very funny things, and Grandma Mazur is one of my favorite characters. When she dressed up in black leather pants and a cone-bra to perform in a band with Lula, I laughed so hard that I cried. My husband immediately thought I had gone nuts, and my retelling of the chapter did not do it justice. I also found the scenes with Stephanie and Lula in an "adult store" hilarious as well. And I found the descriptions of the would-be bounty hunters (copycats of "Dog" Chapman) to be very entertaining. I was mildly surprised that Stephanie managed not to blow up her "Mini", or her apartment...but found this book to be even more entertaining than the last several have been. This is a great book by a fabulously funny author!

The first book in the series is called "One for the Money". Enjoy!

It actually had a plausible plot with suspense. Of course the cast of characters was in full play. New funeral home owners. It was funny and she didn't repeat some of the old jokes previous books had. Ex: Grandfather has gone to the big Deli (or something else) in the sky.

I began reading this series this past July. Come late August I had finished Eleven and needed a break. Stephanie was becoming someone I didn't like or know anymore. Maybe I had read them too quickly. Anyhow, 2 months later I read Twelve Sharp. Maybe I needed a longer break, but this book felt like one I had already read 5 times before. There were several times where I thought maybe I had read it already, except small details like a name or place were different. I felt like it had been a cut and paste and edit of previous books.
I notice with many of the reviews, the 5 stars all love Ranger and the 3 stars or less are Morelli fans. I am a cupcake girl. But I could understand the author wanting to keep the romance from going stagnant by putting Ranger in as a catalyst. However, Morelli should know what's going on. And throughout the books he doesn't - at least it is not told to the reader that he does. And to continue reading these books with Stephanie behaving almost as bad as her ex-husband Dickie and Morelli having no clue, I cannot continue. If tables were turned and Stephanie found out that Morelli flirted and kissed and had sexual relations with Terri, but acted like the loyal boyfriend, she would flip out. I loved books 1-8ish. But somehow Stephanie lost her moral compass and she seems to have morphed into someone different than I first met in One For The Money.

During my time off from this series, I happily discovered Christina McMullen in Unzipped by Lois Greiman. There are about 6 books in that series and it is fantastic and I highly receommend for anyone who has become disenchanted with Stephanie.

A quick, fun, brain candy read! Stephanie Plum is as clumsy and endearing as ever, and the other characters are over the top as usual. I must admit, Morelli and Ranger have got to be the most macho, yet secure (what an oxymoron) guy characters I've ever come across. Both knows the other truly has the hots for Steph, (Morelli being the luckier of the two), yet they manage a civility and respect towards each other that seems almost incomprehensible w/ the normal and fragile/territorial male ego and such... In all, you gotta love Stephanie. Her character is real and flawed like the rest of us. The metaphor is that while you love food, you have got to have dessert sometime! You know it's bad for you and try to resist it for as long as you can. At some point you will have to take a little bite (kiss and a feel here and there). Just don't eat the whole thing - you'll really feel awful in the morning!! And again, the last scene ends w/ Ranger, er, I mean dessert. Can't wait for the next book!

This 12th installment of Stephanie Plum's travails as a bounty hunter in my old hometown of Trenton isn't big on laughs until the second half, but it has a few twists: The Stivic Funeral Home has new owners, Ranger has to move in with Steph for awhile (as she did with him in a recent book); Morelli the eventual husband is still frustrated by Steph's penchant for danger and weakness for Ranger, and Lula and Grandma join a rock band. There is a murder, a kidnapping, a body bomb, and a satisfying conclusion. Some disasters we have come to expect do not happen this time, and some characters who were featured in the last few installments are missing from this one. We don't meet any new fascinating adults except for the villain, but some of Steph's favorite co-workers and friends get some page time. Overall, if you read the first eleven, you need to do this one too. After all, number 13 is only five months away! As a former Trentonian, I understand Evanovich's need to place negative events on fictional streets, but I love the real locations she uses. I was born in St. Francis Hospital, I used to teach school in Chambersburg, and I used to have days at the beach at Point Pleasant. Janet herself never actually lived in Trenton, and it is amazing that she gets the New Jersey personality and atmosphere so right. I haven't lived there in 30 years, but "our" skepticism, our Catholic tendencies, our love of food, our ethnic slurs and intermarriages, our traffic, our old neighborhoods ungentrified...Evanovich captures that stuff very well indeed.

On its own, this book is entertaining, Evanovich definitely has moments where she gets the reader laughing out loud. But she always manage to do so, in every one of her Stephanie Plum books. That's why I kept buying then. But I find that there is absolutely no character growth from book 10 and on.

First of all, my big question is, why is Stephanie Plum still alive? She has absolutely no survival instinct, which was ok in the first book, it was what made her endearing. By the twelve book, she still doesn't carry a gun, she still doesn't tell her cop boyfriend when things go wrong and she's being stalked or hurt, she still goes around without looking at her surroundings, and she still can't figure out if she wants Joe or Ranger.

Now don't get me wrong, I love Ranger's character. What girl wouldn't want a tall, dark, and sexy man of mystery. But I find Stephanie's attitude to be a little off putting. She still doesn't get the hint even after Ranger reply to her question of "what role do you play in my life" and he said "I'm dessert, not something you make a base of your food pyramid". Hello, that's a man telling you he only wants a sack buddy if I ever hear one. She seems to be desperate to make him commit, and until then, she's dragging Joe along just so she has a bird in her hand. Now I don't blame her for wanting to keep Joe around, I mean he's sweet, always been there for her, and he truly loves her enough to want to marry her. But sheesh, make up her mind already. I simply cannot stand the love triangle anymore. It's gotten soap opera like and quite annoying.

Another thing I don't understand is what the appeal of Stephanie is to these men. She's dumb, lack instinct, a walking disaster, and she's got so much baggage that she needs TWO men working hard to keep her alive. Both Joe and Ranger are described as intelligent men, what do they see in her other than a good roll in the hay?

Also has anyone noticed Ranger now took on the role of Joe in the earlier books? Joe's relationship in the earlier books was fun and flirty. They now have more of a working and [...]relationship, they don't flirt, they don't really communicate other than talking about the criminal du jour, and Joe doesn't really display the type of jealousy one would expect from a "hot tempered Italian cop". He suspects she slept with Ranger, yet he lets her stay with Ranger in the safe house, lets her have Ranger live in her apartment, does he get jealous at all? And what about Ranger? He slept with her, then tell her to go back to Joe because "he's a good man". Ranger obviously doesn't mind sharing her with another man, what kind of love is that?

The only realistic solution I see from from the love triangle is both men leave Stephanie. She had her chance with Joe, which she blew it by kissing and fondling with Ranger, Joe is eventually going to find out and dump her. Ranger won't want to commit, that's what he's been telling her forever. It would be too far fetched to really have her end up with either one of them.

On the flip side, I do like Lula, Tank (am I the only one who finds Tank kinda hot?), and Sally. I didn't care for the sister but Albert Kloughn was amusing in his own right. Overall I liked the book, because I like Evanovich's humor, but I think she's taken the ditzy girl gets hot men route a bit too many times.

This one i found very refreshing. Sure i enjoy Steph's adventure's looking for the bad guy or her being stalked. But i felt this one was different. I felt like i was getting to know Ranger alot more and there weren't so many secret's. Ranger just might be the hottest male charcter i've ever read about. Sure Joe's hot but i'm not sure yet which male is my fav. This book was also very funny. Who doesn't love Grandma Mazur and think OMG! glad she's not my grandma. Well done janet!

Bounty hunter, Stephanie Plum, is being stalked by a crazy woman with a gun who claims to be Ranger's wife. Beside trying to keep Grandma under control at funerals, supporting Lulu and Sweet with their new singing career, interviewing potential bounty hunters and still being conflicted between two men, Stephanie is acting as bait for a killer and trying to help Ranger rescue his kidnapped daughter.

At the end of a tough week, this was the perfect dose of light fun I needed. At times laugh-out-load funny, with wonderful supporting characters, although I'd like to see them fleshed out a bit more. I was also pleased that we learned a bit more about Ranger in this book. I do get a bit frustrated with her inability to chose between Ranger and Morelli, but remind myself that the conflict and interaction between the two men is part of what makes these books fun reading. The books aren't perfect, but they are always entertaining.

In the beginning of the book, I almost put it down & walked away. Once I read past the regular stuff as each Plum novel starts out, I couldn't put the book down! This one was really refreshing as Stephanie gets to help Ranger out. The danger seemingly real but still the crazy antics kept the story moving well. I really enjoyed this probably as much as the first Stephanie Plum novel I read which I think was number 7. Then read from the beginning 1 through current during the past few years. Ya know, they're somewhat a crazy bunch but what a great escape from our daily troubles! I love these novels! And 12 Sharp kept you on your toes, your eyes moving down from page to page, an occasional nail biting, and giggle here and there. GREAT STUFF! Great summer reading even though it only took two days to read.

i have read all the books in a row in the last couple of weeks (thanks to bad summer television) and i have to say i LOVE these books. this book has been my favorite. i don't know it if is the seriousness or the author is getting better with the humor. this book was delicious! why is it so hard for other readers to accept that stephanie could love two men? who wouldn't want morelli and ranger to be in love with them?! i think as readers we are torn between them too. grandma mazur, lula and joyce bernhardt are terrific as always. i have one complaint, why does janet evanovich only write one book a year??? these books need to be made into a movie or television show. i can't enough wonderful things about it. A MUST PURCHASE!

Janet Evanovich is one of my favorite authors.
Tweleve Sharp is about Ranger and someone is pretending to be him. The 'second Ranger' has kidnapped Ranger's daughter, and Ranger is wanted. And 'of course' Ranger's goes to Stephanie house for help.

This is one of my favorites of the Plum series because it shows you more of Ranger. ***I'm a totally Ranger fan.***
Stephenie had some 'close' encounters with Ranger in this novel. Stephanie did 'almost' have sex with Ranger. again.

Mortelli moving in with Stephanie when Ranger was there was funny, and when Ranger threatened to kill Mortelli if Stephanie slept with him, while he was there. Priceless.

When Tank got kicked in the balls, and fell down. WaS so hilarious. This is when him and Lula kind of began as a couple.

I loved this novel.

I was a little disappointed by this new Stephanie Plum novel. The other previous novels were very exciting and entertaining. They had me on the floor dying of laughter but this one was so so in my opinion. Maybe its just me and the fact that I went from reading a book religiously to only once or twice a year, but don't get me wrong it was good but not like the previous ones. I was kinda hoping that Stephanie and Ranger would hook again and she would leave Joe in the dirt.

Security expert and bounty hunter Ranger is used to catching wanted people, but now he's the one who is wanted. There's a woman looking for him who claims she is married to him. He has another big problem - someone who looks a lot like him has kidnapped his daughter. His friend, bounty hunter Stephanie Plum, has her own problems. Even though it's her job, she's not particularly good at bounty hunting and each apprehension is difficult. She's also dealing with her grandmother's decision to become a rock star. On top of that, she's being stalked by someone who wants everything that Ranger has, including Stephanie.

"Twelve Sharp" is an extremely funny book and much better than the last Stephanie Plum book, "Eleven on Top". Most of the regular characters are included: Stephanie's parents, Grandma Mazur, Stephanie's on and off boyfriend Joe Morelli, Lula, Connie, and Sally Sweet are all there. Readers will be happy that Janet Evanovich gives a little more insight into the mysterious Ranger's private life. Evanovich adds a new character, Melvin Pickle, who brings a lot of fun to the book. There are plenty of laugh out loud moments, especially when Connie, Lula, and Stephanie interview potential bounty hunters. Some of the captures that Lula and Stephanie make are equally funny. Evanovich wisely ditches some of the tired plot lines such as Stephanie's car always being blown up and breathes new life into other plot lines - especially an incredibly funny scene during a wake. Unfortunately, she does add a food fight scene - something that I wish could be banned from all books and movies! Still, most of the book is hilarious, even the tension filled ending has laugh out loud moments.

A wonderful read.

Trenton, New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is still sleeping with the man she loves, Joe Morelli while lusting after security specialist Ranger rarely known by his real name of Ricardo Carlos Manoso. She gets a little breathing room from her conflicted emotions when Ranger tells her that he is going to Miami on an important case.

Not long afterward someone claiming to be Carmen Manoso enters Stephanie's office insisting she is Ranger's wife and that he walked out on her after six months of marriage. This is followed with the news that Ranger kidnapped his daughter who legally belongs to her mother and her second husband. Ranger returns to Trenton seeking Stephanie's help in rescuing his daughter from a person who looks like him. Though skeptical about a doppelganger, Stephanie believes Ranger and becomes the bait to draw the kidnapper out into the open though she knows the danger she faces as the culprit has already killed Carmen.

Readers get to see a different vulnerable Ranger whose confidence is somewhat battered with the abduction of his child, but he has no time to wallow. As the audience learns more about his past, he obsesses on the rescue. Stephanie jumps from one dangerous escapade to another while also trying to balance her love life. The support cast adds either humor or tension as the clock winds down towards a TWELVE SHARP literal deadline in this action-packed thriller. Janet Evanovich will please her myriad of fans with this excellently entertaining crime caper.

I thought the book was slow to start. I was looking forward to the typical over-the-top start and it didn't happen. No naked, slathered up guys, little people, or exploding cars to begin the book with a bang. It built up steam as the story went along and about mid-point to the end there was alot of action.

I agree with another reviewer, I'm getting tired of the Morrelli-Stephanie-Ranger triangle. I've wanted Ranger from the start, granted, but at this point I'm willing for her to take anyone, just as long as she chooses. Also, being that both men are portrayed as alfa-males, it's getting hard to believe that they put with the other man in Stephanie's life. Plus, if Stephanie's is so committed to Morrelli, how can she do the lip tango with Ranger so much and not feel guilty? Sigh! Hey, Evanovich! Let's go somewhere and stop spinning our wheels!

For those of you out there that are a Ranger fan like myself, you'll going to enjoy seeing the softer side of Ranger. Ha-ta-ta! The man is HOT!

I do love Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum novels, and have recommended them to others since I began reading the series at its inception. In addition, I have to admire the publisher's marketing ploy of releasing this in the summer -- perfect beach reading material.

However..... you'll love the book, I think, but wish for something to actually change in Stephanie's life as a result of the book's events. The plot is more serious than usual, but at the end of the day, things are the same for Stephanie and her stud harem. In reading it, you can escape to the perfect fantasy life -- two very attractive men lusting after you, while you devour pizza, doughnuts, and any other junk food in sight.

But, then again, maybe that's the appeal of this series. Stephanie can eat all the junk food her heart desires, and apparently, her body never suffers for it. She can see two men without one of them (most likely Joe) asking her to cut the other out of her life. I, for one, am quite envious!

Same old same old stuff. This time we get to know Ranger a bit more.

Someone has stolen his identity and kidnapped his daughter. However, he still has the present of mind to feel Stephanie up? What the heck is that? I like Ranger in books 1-7, but not so much after that. I think JE is forcing me to have a preference for him over Morelli.
With books 1-7, Morelli was written as a sexy, hot-tempered Italian cop. Now, he is so mellow, I don't know what happened to him. JE is not keeping him consistent. If it was the old Morelli, he would have told Stephanie (and Ranger) to take a hike together. Which self-respecting man would be okay with his gf sleeping with another man?
At the beginning of the series, I liked Stephanie but now she needs to grow up. The series started when she was 30 years old. If JE doesn't age her characters, Stephanie has to be at least 35 by now. Can't play the airhead bimbo forever!

Finally, she told Morelli that she loved him. However, she also told herself that she loved Ranger in the next second. It took the sincerity of her feelings away. I am so fed up with her.

Ohh.. someone has mentioned that Morelli molested her when she was 6 by playing "choo choo" with her. He is just 2 years older, which made him 8 years old at the time. I would not call it molesting, more like kids' play.

I am not going to read #13 because based on the review, it is not much different from #12, so why bother?

Some of the reviewers here treat this book as though it's some sort of scholarly literary work with critiques of the characters, their motivations, their actions, and blah, blah, blah.

This is book is pure entertainment that made me laugh out loud. Clever silliness with irresistibly outrageous characters I wish could really exist. Well, maybe they do, I think I've seen some of them on Judge Judy.

I've read all twelve in order and know what to expect. And I've not been disappointed with any of them. Before I picked this book up to read I had just finished "With No One as Witness" by Elizabeth George. A terrific book, but a dark read. I knew I could depend on Stephanie Plum to lighten my mood and I was right.

This book, like the others, is instant happiness. Much better than Prozac.

Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich was released in 2006. Stephanie Plum returns in another adventure with her friend Lula, in search of a murderer. The action never stops. Fans of Janet Evanovich will like this the most.

Twelve Sharp is the best of the Stephanie Plum series! I love this book. It has the most complex plot of any book in this series although it does contain some laugh out loud situations occasionally thrown in as little sub-plots.

This book is a real page turner! Ranger is the central character. When a Ranger wannabe decides to take on Ranger's life (literally)he begins with kidnapping Ranger's daughter (Julie). It becomes obvious that this impersonator plans to kill Ranger and take on his identity. When it appears Ranger has committed a murder, the police begin looking for him. Ranger must go into hiding in order to find the killer and rescue his daughter. This time Ranger turns to Stephanie Plum for help. He is determined to flush the guy out before anyone else is killed.

As usual the chemistry is hot between Stephanie and Joe, and Stephanie and Ranger; Stephanie admits that she loves both men and can't make a decision on which to exclude from her attentions. Of course this debate is not new, its just getting more complicated as the series progresses.

A funny sub-plot unfolds as Grandma Mazur and Lula team up with Sally Sweet to form a punk rock band. They play gigs in local nursing homes and bowling allies. An impromptu appearance during the wake at the funeral parlor when the Ranger impersonator's first victim is "laid out" is particularly funny.

I have a confession to make. I'm a guy. Yet I love Stephanie Plum novels! There's probably a support group for us somewhere. I was in a bookstore one day when a group of woman began talking about the Evanovich books as they were checking out in front of me and when I asked what they were so excited about they marched me back into the store and made me buy the first three. I'm so glad they did. These books are fun, light-hearted, and a bit whimsical as they follow thirties-something Stephanie Plum through her makeover into a bounty hunter. But mostly they are laugh-out-loud funny and a sure antidote to a blue day. Stephanie gets into more trouble, burns down more buildings, blows up more cars, and mostly accidentally catches bad guys with her friend Lulu, an ex-prostitute, Sally Sweet, a cross-dressing male vocalist with a fetish for thongs but too much body hair, and her grandmother Mazur who has a predilection for opening closed caskets at the funeral home and an unhealthy fantasies about the genitals of the opposite sex. But mostly Stephanie is torn and confused between Morelli, her tall, dark, Italian and sexy on-again-off-again cop boyfriend and the mysterious Ranger, the black clad, super-bounty hunter with dark Cuban good looks, surprising business acumen, and looks that make women swoon. These two hunk-o-men are constantly flirting, chasing and groping Stephanie in a dizzying love triangle that provides a perfect complementary tension to the otherwise mad-cap adventures she gets up to (and from which she must generally be rescued by Morelli, Ranger, or both).

Every book is a riotious, zany, roller-coaster of fun, and guaranteed to get you laughing out loud. Every book is also extremely formulaic, which is both good and bad. The Stephanie Plum formula was an almost archetypally good formula and Evanovich has plugged it in with every novel. This has created a huge base of loyal fans, even some guy ones like me. We'd be shocked, dismayed, and in a tar-and-feathers mood if Evanovich tried to change the formula. On the other hand, it's beginning to feel like the exact same book over and over again, and without some growth or change things get tired and faded after so many years. In this novel it appears that the author tried to dig a little deeper into Rangers background trying to address the formulaic criticism that has been bandied about by many. She has been exploring the Ranger character in the last few books developing a history for him which includes a national security enterprise and a 10 year old daughter by an ex-wife in Miami. In this book the daughter is kidnapped and the crazy Plum team swings into action. There was one thing that bothered me A LOT about this book though....the sexual banter and patter put out by Ranger towards Stephanie does not cease after has daughter is kidnapped. This severly damaged the suspended disbelief I was able to maintain throughout the previous eleven novels. If my daughter was kidnapped I would be 110% focused on that and about zero interested in sex and flirting. For that reason this book fell flat for me. It was still enjoyable and the story was very good, but Ranger went from mysterious yet believable, to unreal and showing a character flaw that really bothered me.

I don't know what the answer is to the formulaic criticism. I love peach pie. It's my favourite thing. But if I ate nothing but peach pie twelve days in a row it would probably strain my enthusiasm. That's what is happening with these books. I can see the author trying to inject new dimensions but I really felt it back-fired this time. The books have always worked because of the sexual tension of the love triangle. Putting Ranger in a situation where his daughter is kidnapped and possibly tortured, raped, or murdered and having him keep up the sexual tension was a mistake because it just isn't natural human behavior, nor was it in character with Ranger...he's the mysterious, sexy, dark, but good, batman type. When the damsel is in distress the good guy sallies forth and rescues her...he doesn't take time-outs, physically or mentally during that process and especially not if the damsel is your daughter. I salute the effort the author made to introduce something new to the formula but didn't feel that it worked this time. Nonetheless, that one misstep aside, this is still vintage Stephanie Plum with all the fun and worth reading if you are a Plum fan.

Incompetent bounty hunter Stephanie Plum continues to haul in perverts, shoplifters, and husband-stabbers who've missed their court dates, but everything changes when a woman shows up claiming to be Ranger's husband and gunning for Stephanie. When Ranger's daughter is kidnapped, Stephanie realizes that someone is posing as Ranger, trying to take over his identity. Since Ranger has something of a thing for Stephanie, that puts her firmly in the cross-hairs.

Stephanie wobbles between Joe Morelli and Ranger, wanders off to the beach to get away, takes a road trip with Ranger to Virginia, and deals with both her grandmother and Lula joining cross-dresser Sally Sweet's band. Meanwhile, Ranger has his entire organization on alert watching Stephanie and trying to find the faux-Ranger before he can strike again.

Author Janet Evanovich actually puts together a mystery/thriller plot that practically makes sense here, something a bit unusual in the Stephanie Plum series. Unfortuntely, for much of the novel, however, Evanovich seems to be going through the motions. We've got the weird perverts Stephanie has got to track down and re-bond--check. The love triangle between Stephanie, Morelli, and Ranger--check. Grandma Mazur being weird and thinking she's Mick Jagger--check. Lula going on about being an ex-ho--check. A car blowing up--check, but with a twist, watch for this one, guys. All of the pieces are here, but somehow it doesn't come together. I guess I just didn't see much character development, progress in the relationship, or really any sense of danger for Stephanie. Yes, she was getting shot at, but she didn't seem to care much--and I didn't either.

It's hard to go wrong with a Stephanie Plum book. Janet Evanovich sure can write. TWELVE SHARP is easy to pick up and hard to put down. And there are several laugh-out-loud moments to help make the book worthwhile. Still, I ended feeling like I'd eaten one of the donuts Stephanie was getting--sweet but not enough really there.

To be honest, I was a little apprehensive before beginning this latest installment of the Stephanie Plum mysteries. The last couple of books had been way over the top in silliness and not as enjoyable as the first seven or so. This book, however, far surpassed my expectations. There was the usual conflict between Stephanie's feelings for Morelli and Ranger, along with the general craziness of the Bond Agency and its cast of characters.

This book almost became more serious than the rest, since its main theme was the kidnap of Ranger's daughter. We are able to know Ranger and his history a little better, making him a more believable character. We also get to see a bit more of Stephanie's serious side as well. The usual capers and hoodwinks are still in evidence, but this more serious tone provides a much more satisfying read.

After the letdown of the previous book in this series, it is nice to see Stephanie Plum back at her real occupation, ace bounty hunter. Well, maybe ace is not the right term, but let it be.

The characters are fine and funny, as in the first ten books. The gritty streets of New Jersey are not exactly scenic but they are very real. And there is an actual plot, rather than a series of humorous sketches that wear thin when not attached to anything. As for dialogue, that's why Janet Evanovich's fans keep coming back for more. She has a real knack, an excellent ear for the nuances of street dialogue.

I can now rest easy for a while, knowing the writer has not run out of material. My greatest hope is that she doesn't have a relapse in the 13th episode, that triskadecaphobia doesn't do in our heroine.

P.S. This is the very best of the twelve books in the Plum series, and Stephanie holds the record for the most times a central figure is tasered in all of fiction.

Stephanie Plum has grown on me. I've not read all the books in the series, but I have friends who have, and they love them! It's Evanovich's sense of humor and her ability to get it across in her Plum novels that I most admire. Stephanie has grown a lot since the early books. She's getting a little smarter about her job, though that doesn't carry over to the Morelli/Ranger thing. I found Ranger a bit obnoxious in that department this time 'round.

Lula is as funny as ever and I continue to enjoy her antics. Sally thrown in there adds another goofball aspect to the implausible life and times of Ms. Plum. Grandma Mazur needs to be put in a home. I enjoyed the infrequent, but pithy comments made by Mr. Plum and would like to see him developed more in upcoming novels. Sometimes it's difficult to imagine one's parents as ever young, cool, and hot! That is certainly the case with Stephanie's folks. Mom is totally absorbed in housework and cooking, while Dad spends his home time on the couch, behind a newspaper or running for the dinner table. Can you picture Steph and Morelli like that in twenty years and two or three kids from now?! Whatever.... Twelve Sharp was a fast read, and had some good laughs. Vinnie's not around much in this one, nor is Steph's sister, Valerie. Ranger is the focus this time. His manhandling of Stephanie, and her allowing it, was annoying at times. I found myself wanting to smack him and save Morelli the effort, if it came to that.

The jist of the plot is the Ranger wannabe who's trying to take over the great bounty hunter's life. Edward Scrog's the name and to get Ranger's attention he kidnaps Ranger's daughter, Julie, from her mother and stepfather's home. Scrog wants Stephanie, too, and he plans to kill Ranger in order to complete his mission of becoming the RangeMan. In the meantime, some wacked up broad, who claims to be Ranger's abandoned wife, takes to shadowing Stephanie and says she'll kill her if she doesn't lead her to her husband, who is actually Scrog, though she thinks he's this guy named Ranger. Scrog has some brilliant moments, but he's also not carrying a full deck, which, is eventually his downfall. There's the usual list of FTAs that need rounding up, one of whom becomes the bonds office's new file clerk (some of the book's best humor involves Melvin Pickle, the new file clerk). There's the usual driving around, eating bad food, taking showers and changing clothes, screwups while attempting to capture FTAs, etc., but at least none of Stephanie's cars get blown up...though another one does. If you're a Stephanie Plum fan, you'll enjoy this one.

This book should have been fun. Evanovich never fails to bring at least a little humor to the stories she writes, and 12 SHARP definitely has a few moments of hilarity. Her writing style is as breezy and fun as ever, and Stephanie Plum, bounty hunter ordinaire, is still a great narrator. That said, there are two big problems with this book:

1) Too much formula.
2) The Ranger/Morelli/Plum triangle has gotten disgusting.

The formula problem is a tough one, since too much change in a book this far into a series will alienate readers--but too little change will bore them. I was bored. Plum's mother is still crossing herself and drinking in the kitchen. Plum's dad still mumbles and grumbles. Grandma Mazur still shocks and scandalizes. Morelli is still hot. Ranger is still mysterious (sort of). And Stephanie still doesn't carry a gun, kick badguy butt, or get out of scrapes on her own. Blah.

This problem with formula could have been fixed if Evanovich had ended Problem #2: the "love" triangle. If the triangle had been resolved in 12 SHARP, a lot of my dislike of the book would have vanished. Unfortunately, this subplot is still being run into the ground. But even worse, it has now crossed the line from "annoying" to "disgusting," when Stephanie basically cheats on poor doormat Morelli and refuses to make a decision about the two guys in the triangle.

I seriously don't like Stephanie any more. She treats the man she says she loves like dirt. And I don't like Ranger, either, as he cheerfully moves in on someone else's girlfriend. What a couple of creeps. It doesn't help that Ranger, in this book, seems more interested in getting into Stephanie's pants than in saving his daughter, who has been kidnapped. YUCK.

If it weren't for the formula and the horrible love triangle, I'd really love this book. Sadly, these two problems get in the way of my enjoyment of the novel.

Still, if you are looking for a fun, light, fast read, 12 SHARP should do the trick.

When I first stumbled on the Stephanie Plum books, I was pleasantly surprised at the fresh ideas, the funny situations, the snappy dialogue, and less than perfect heroine.

However, after 12 books, the ideas start to run out and it seems more like you're reading a screen play for a sitcom than you're reading a book in a series.

This book, for me, just seems to have lost a lot of what made the first couple so great. The situation is pretty much the same kind as we always get: Stephanie is stalked, Ranger and Morelli strut around doing nothing, Stephanie has a show down with the stalker, and the stalker loses all while Stephanie eats bountiful amount of doughnuts, pizza, and beer. Even the recycled plot wouldn't be so bad if the book was funnier. The grandma Mazur scenes are still funny, but that's really all that's been supporting the hilarity of the book.

And, I have to agree with several other people. I am so tired of the Ranger/Morelli situation. The one reviewer who said Evanovich is fulfilling a female fantasy of two lovers is absolutely correct, and after 12 books, it's gotten old. It's stale, and you have to wonder why Morelli even puts up with her any more. I think the series would finally starten to freshen up and be interesting again if Evanovich would pick a man and stick with it.

I'm giving Evanovich one more book to turn the series around before I stop reading it entirely. I didn't even buy this one; I just borrowed it from the library. That is exactly what I recommend anyone who wants to read it do as well. Don't waste your money on the book. Grade: C

I stopped reading these books after 7. The whole love triangle thing was getting too stupid for me. No man I know would stick around waiting for her dumb butt to make up her mind who she wants, especially two strong alpha types. Yet, my book group kept raving and raving about these books, so I picked up 12 Sharp and re-read the series.

This is the best one in awhile, loved her secondary charecters, but I still don't have the patience to sit and wait for who she is going to choose. And, it's annoying that she isn't more competent and a bounty hunter by now. Will I keep reading the series, probably, but I won't by anymore. I will read them at the library.

Another great read in a great series. Stephanie Plum never disappoints from beginning to the end. Twelve Sharp increases the intensity of the Stephanie Plums adventures as Jerseys' colorful bounty hunter and lover of bad boys.

Twelve Sharp highlights Rangers personal life and gives you a better look at his relationship at work and play with Stephanie. It's the oddest thing to cheer on both Stephanies love interests but with every book I love them both even more so now I'm conflicted just like Stephanie.

You'll be pleased with the twist and turns Janet Evanovich takes you on in Twelve Sharp.

Okay, I ready for the next one........I'm waiting.

girldiver:)

I will always love these books and don't want to give anything away, but I was a little (just a little) disappointed with this one. We're getting to know Ranger a little too well and it was always the "mystery" that I found interesting. I don't want to know his weaknesses. I want the cool, dashing, muscular, macho man that will always solve every problem. The interaction of the three is the big draw for me.

The big plus of the book was that there wasn't much about the sister and her problems. In the past that was just too over-the-top boring for me.

I really love this series and was soooo excited to read the 12th book. It did not disapoint except for two things...1- Why ,oh why did Janet turn into such a potty mouth with this book? She NEVER used to resort to this kind of foul language in her other books. Now, I'm no angel...but it was always such an escape for this Jersey girl to not have to hear/read such language in her books. 2- Where was Granny in this book?! She had some appearances but I LOVE Grandma an she was scarce throught this book!! Come on Ms.Evanovich get back to your roots that we all know and love, and please refrain from throwing the "F" word in every chapter. My grandfather used to say if you use words like that you can't think of anything more intelligent to say. We know you can write better than this

I really enjoyed this one. I am team Ranger all the way and I really enjoyed the cute interactions between Stephanie and Ranger in this edition. I also enjoyed finding out a bit more about the mysterious Ranger. Stephanie also comes to some major realizations about her life and the two main men in it. Really funny, there are no shortage of laughs in Twelve Sharp.

Okay, so I normally don't buy hardbacks - it goes against my nature. BUT, I couldn't wait on this one after reading the tantalizing excerpt from "Eleven on Top" - Ranger has a wife!!??!! Well, no surprise, things aren't quite that simple. Instead, Ranger's got a huge family crisis that forces him to depend on Stephanie more than ever. As a result, we get much more insight (relatively-speaking) on the mysterious Mr. Moroso. Also, once again, Evanovich sends tingles down the spine with her hints and briefs glimpses at the awesome sexual charisma of Ranger and Joe Morelli. And Stephanie's back to her "calling" as a bounty hunter.

In this book we see some familiar faces - Sally, Joyce Burkhart. There are some new faces - Melvin Pickle (the herpes-covered shoe salesman arrested for whacking off in the movie theater) who starts working at the office, and a gay couple who have taken over the mortuary. And some semi-regulars are missing - oogums-woogums (aka Kloughn) and the sister - I'm actually grateful for a break from them :)

I recently went back to the first book in this series, and I'm really impressed with how funny they've become. Maybe that ticks some people off, but I love laughing out loud every chapter or so. The only thing I'm worried about is if the Joe-Ranger-Stephanie triangle thing will start to wear out - is there a point where it starts feeling too much like bad cheating? So far, I don't feel bad, but I want the men to keep being sexy (not objects of pity).

Anyway, overall totally fun read. I can't wait for the next!

I was rather disappointed with this one (and the last). I didn't laugh out loud once whilst reading this book and that is a fist for me. Reviews for 13 do not inspire. I might skip this one and go on to 14.

I don't know if Janet (or someone on her behalf) reads these reviews, but she should certainly take note of some recurring criticisms.

The first is the "love" triange issue. The only character maintaining any integrity is Morelli. Ironically this makes his character a little less appealing as a sex god because he is being duped and you feel a little sad for him. It has gotten to the point that although I'm firmly in the Morelli camp, it is beginning to feel unpleasant because of the lying and cheating and for Steph to finally choose him over Ranger doesn't really address this issue. There needs to be a point where Morelli finds the two of them together and possibly walks away, especially as he has shown so much misguided faith in Steph. If the Steph/Morelli characters are to end together the Morelli character needs to get his dignity back, possibly by Steph making a big sacrafice. Steph's reaction to almost being caught in bed with Ranger is not what you would expect from a woman that supposedly loves Morelli. This is a low point in the integrity of this character.

I think JE missed a trick here where Steph could have finally realized that out of the two men there was one that she preferred to be entering into her room to be shot.

Obviously, this point doesn't appear to effect Ranger followers, but you do have to wonder at the lack of moral direction with regard to this issue. It does appear that Steph and Ranger are more in tune with their more shallow attitude to a relationship. The problem with this senario is that the characters have become increasingly dislikeable. Rangers less than honourable behaviour towards a "good man" leaves his integrity damaged aswell.

JE should have left the Steph/Morelli relationship lighter, where he was trying to get her naked and she was resisting - sometimes. Ranger's attempts to also get Steph naked would have then appeared more light-hearted and afforded opportunity for humour.

The second is that some of the antics of the characters are tired. I found the behaviour of grandma Mazur at the funeral home a little disturbing. The use of the body as bait was in bad enough taste to begin with, without having grandma displaying the carved up corpse for entertainment. I couldn't help but think of the distress to family members. It wasn't one of JE's finest moments. It feels like the Mazur character is becoming forced and increasingly less plausible.

One thing that wasn't the same was that Lula's character was developing. The plus side to this was that the slapstick comedy of Steph being on the receiving end of Lula's antics was removed. The negative side was that classics like Lula running down the street with a pack of dogs running after her or setting a car on fire with doggy do were also left out. Lula is probably my favourite character. I love the misguided self-confidence that gets herself and bad guys into trouble. The Tank character and Lula together is definitely a possitive. Tanks deadpan reactions and seeming invincibility (apart from to women) make a good foil to Lula's outgoing pesonality. I would love to see the comedic side of this relationship flourish.

Another positive was that some of the support characters were weeded out. Though the new character Pickle seemed very similar to the Kloughn character. I would have also liked to have seen more of the cop friends.

I hope the next book will reward both mine and Morelli's faith.

First of all let me say what a big laugh I had at those who say that Stephanie cheated on Morelli in Hard Eight, they were broke up, she called off their wedding, it was over at the time and she was a free agent when she slept with Ranger, hello after you break up with someone you no longer owe them anything, just wish she never went back to him. In my opinion the seventh book should of been Morreli's last, I never really liked the character and this whole triangle is getting stale to the point that after the nineth book I didn't even bother with ten or eleven sounded like the same stuff that was done in the others. I do like that there was more focus on Ranger and Stephanie in the book, but then I have liked their relationship more so then her and Morelli from the beginning. Also loved Lula but then she is always one of the few saving graces in the Plum series, and the overall theme plot of the kidnapping of Ranger's daughter was also good. I just wish that some of the stale, been there done that a million times elements including the lame triangle would of been left out, Morelli could of been out of this one completely and I wouldn't have missed him, I wanted him gone after book Seven, the fact that he's still around isn't helpping this series much, at least not from where I sit.

This is one of the better Stephanie Plum novels in awhile, and I personally thought it was great to have the two men in Stephanie's life front and centre throughout the whole book. Why isn't it possible for a woman to feel attracted to two very attractive men at the same time? Anyway, the story is a cracker. Stephanie and Ranger are trying to find a little girl who has been kidnapped by a man who is a "wanna be" Ranger. And the book was hilariously funny! The part where Lula's band practices at Stephanie's parents' house is absolutely hilarious. I like these books because of the characters, but I also love Ms. Evanovich's humour. She is a master hand at understated humour, and a master storyteller too. I can't wait for number thirteen.

This has got to be the best Stephanie Plum novel to date. Lots of laughs, lots of action, lots of fun, but with a slightly more serious story line that brings more depth to Ranger's character.

It's time to do the movie, there's so much material to choose from. It good to see Janet back on top of her game and with so many reviews, you know Evanovich can still crank 'em out where others would have run out of material.

Keep 'em coming Janet. Stephanie is the alter ego for a lot of us and her family is a stitch! Wish life could be more like this. What more can anyone add to this many reviews?

I have read and re-read all of the Plum series mysteries, including the two non-numbered holiday specials.

I've read the reviews here, and felt strongly enough about some points made that I wanted to share what I saw when I read this book.

One of the MAIN drawbacks/ concerns that Stephanie and all the people around her have had in the past was that Ranger "remained a mystery man". She has lamented the lack of knowledge concerning his roots, his ramily, his adult life interactions and experiences outside their bounty hunting teamwork and the push-pull strong attraction to each other.

I sensed that in this book, Janet told us more about Ranger and less about Stephanie's perverted cousin, whacko sister, and slobby cop boyfriend and his dog. I know enough about the peripherals and really wanted ( and want) the series to explore and divulge more of the rich relationship which does exist between Stephanie and Ranger. The tide is turning from Joe Morelli as the ALL GOOD, ALL KNOWING perfect husband material, because he's not all that great, to showing the very human and vulnerable side of Ranger.

All I can say is, Janet- it was high time!!!

I have come to be weary of the endless speculative comments in this long series by Stephanie and all those who revolve around her world about where Ranger lives " Where is the Batcave?", whether or not there are other women in his life ( I don't think the man has time- He's always saving Stephanie's life!) and whether his veins are filled with ice water or whether he is capable of deep and true love.

All of the questions that have truly mattered in the past about Ranger were answered in my mind with this book, including how Stephanie really feels about him and how he feels about her in the last chapter.

If for no other reason, the book is worth buying and reading.

Stephanie needs to be written with more maturity and I believe this was accomplished to a great degree with her interaction with the kidnapping victim. I also believe that for the first time, the dynamic of her very unhealthy relationship with Morelli was challenged in depth.

In case some readers are rusty, it has been stated in numerous past books that Joe, several years older than Stephanie's character, played sexually oriented games with a pre-pubescent Stephanie which she first euphemistically referred to as " choo choo". We have since read that he molested her by definition. She also lost her virginity to him in a most ignoble way on the floor of a bakery when she was in High School.

IMO, Joe Morelli is the morally questionable person in the so-called love triangle. For those who have commented that Stephanie has been crude in her sexual habits, the books have been written to include the use of protection with all encounters except perhaps one.

I hope the series continues to grow and flourish, and that Stephanie chooses true love over doing what's expected of her if Janet ever does force the character to choose either Ranger or Joe.

FWIW, "Lean Mean 13" also starts out with Stephanie interacting with Ranger! The first chapters are posted on Ms. Evanovich's website.

Stephanie is at it again! Blowing up cars, confused between two men, funeral parlor mayhem and don't forget the donuts!

In this latest installment you find Stephanie help track the kidnapped daughter of Ranger. There are very real scenes of danger and the book is actually a little darker when Stephanie rushes in to help rescue Ranger's daughter. But don't worry we got Lula, Tank, a suicidal shoe salesman turn file clerk and grandma is joining a rock band! Stephanie fans won't be disappointed.

I am a woman who grew up in a time when women didn't write these kinds of books without a political backdrop for feminism. For or against. I am for, because it's all about being a true female. All different. All sizes, colours, jobs etc. When ever I read about Stephanie Plum, I laugh. I mean, I identify laughter. I don't have a pocket book. I wish I did have two studs after me! I am probably physically tougher than Ms. Plum; but she is real! Cleverness rarely gets laughter out of me. Real bungles do, because i have to buy zip riding boots, because i never got down the art of tying my shoes. Thus i trip alot. Evanovich is such a good author because she writes what she sees, feels, reality. I like the tension building between cop boyfriend and special forces maybe illegal. Life has been difficult for me lately and when i recieved 12 Sharp, i gobbled it up and laughed til the tears ran. Anyone who gives this author and her books with Plum less than a 5 has got to be a real stiff. Hope that person doesn't end up in a funeral home in New Jersey!

Only a Stephanie Plum novel would cause some to complain because the plot had an actual mystery and intrigue in it. That shows how much we've been spoiled by Janet Evanovich's comic touch. We come to the new books in the series for the entertainment (much like people once did for Charlie Chaplin) and we're surprised when serious themes emerge.

I thought that Twelve Sharp was by far the most impressive novel in the series. The story-telling moves beyond Pink Panther comedy into dealing with the serious consequences of actions we take. At the same time, the book goes down very smoothly.

The serious side is well done. Stephanie finds herself stalked by a young woman with a gun she doesn't mind using who claims to be Ranger's wife. What's that all about? Stephanie is also at risk for being kidnapped. And then Ranger's daughter is missing. It's a nicely complicated mystery and is unraveled in fine fashion. While this part of the story is not yet up to Dame Agatha's best, it's more than satisfying.

The character development of Stephanie and Ranger through the plot is quite remarkable in this story. In the past, Ranger has been the Superman of mystery who could do no wrong. She's been in his thrall . . . but kept at a distance only by his self-restraint. So why has he been self-restrained? In this story, we learn more about Ranger and begin to sense his vulnerabilities. An unexpected pregnancy made Ranger a father at a young age. Since then, he's met his financial responsibilities and kept his distance from similar complications. But that all comes unglued when his daughter is kidnapped and Ranger is the suspect the police are looking for. As a result, Ranger has to go undercover. Ranger's only hope of solving the kidnapping is through Stephanie's efforts because the crumb also wants Stephanie. As a result, Stephanie finds herself in deeper peril than ever before. Both of the men in her life want to protect her. Oops! That's certainly one serious complication that a woman who loves two men never thought about. How do you keep them apart when there's danger?

To me, the best comedy in the series comes when Stephanie and Lula (the retired lady of the evening) team up to bring in fugitives. They are the Laurel and Hardy of bounty hunters. In this book, Stephanie's solutions turn out to work best when she follows her heart rather than trying trickery. Because Vinnie has been taking chances, there are more fugitives than usual, and several of them are pretty dangerous. With Ranger away, Stephanie and Lula will play.

The next best comedy comes when Grandma Mazur gets into the action either at the funeral home or in chasing men. This book has some of each, as Grandma decides to join the band that Sally Sweet and Lula are forming. There are new, friendlier owners (two gay men) at the funeral home, and this change opens up new comic possibilities.

A new comic dimension is added when Connie and Stephanie decide to hire some more bounty hunters. Naturally, this brings Stephanie's old nemesis, Joyce, into play for some good moments.

So, whose bed will Stephanie end up in and with whom? You'll just have to read to find out. I have to leave that important mystery untouched.

Twelve Sharp is the best of the series. It's full of raw emotion, colorful characters and a plot that grabs you from the first page and won't let you stop until you read the last word. This truly is Janet Evanovich's masterpiece. If you love mystery, intrigue, comedy, all rolled up into one, then this is the book for you. Don't miss out on this one. I bought ten copies myself!!! What better way to hook a friend on your favorite series then giving them a book about Ranger!

I was disappointed in this twelfth chapter in the "Perils of Stephanie Plum." I can't quite put my finger on why I was so disappointed. Maybe it was the fact that the book was not as laugh out loud humorous in as many places. Maybe it was that certain key family members were not heard from as much. Maybe it was because the only person being hit with the stun gun was Stephanie herself. Maybe it was because no cars blew up. Maybe it was because the plot development seemed to drag on a bit for a book that was only 310 pages long.

This chapter started out with decent promise and the first eighy to one hundred pages read fast. But then the book seemed to hit a wall and became trite and less active. The introduction of Melvin was probably the only bright spot in the book. Even Joe says " everybody does it in the multiplex." Yes, Melvin was definitely the high point.

Unfortunately, there just were not enough high points in this latest effort, as the sharpness that is usually there with a Plum novel was missing. However, I still have trouble downgrading this effort to three stars. It is a worthwhile read, just not a great read.

I only hope that 13 is a real "bakers dozen" and that the return to formula is made in it's writing.

Stephanie Plum and her sometimes partner Lula are overwhelmed by the amount of business they have to do. Stephanie and Morelli are together and everyone in Trenton seems to think they're almost married. However, when Ranger is around, Stephanie still has a hard time keeping her focus. Lula, and their cross-dressing, part-time bus driver friend Sally Sweet have started a new music group called the What. Grandma Mazur is still intent on going to viewings at the funeral home in town. When Carmen Manoso shows up saying that she is married to Ranger, Stephanie does not know what to think. She is stunned when news hits that Ranger's 10 year old daughter Julie has been kidnapped. As the case escalates, her life gets more interesting when Morelli and Ranger; as Lula puts it "two alpha dogs" move into Stephanie's apartment. Unsurpassed characters, entertaining dialogue, and a familiar setting combine to create a terrific addition to the series.

In yet another uproariously funny installment of the Plum series, our gal Steph finds herself being drawn deeper into the life of the hot Ranger more than she ever thought possible; this time, a psychopathic criminal named Scrog wants to BE Ranger. After kidnapping Ranger's daughter Julie, all Scrog needs is Stephanie by his side to complete the picture. But of course, in order for Scrog to really BE Ranger, there can no longer be a real Ranger......

This may be the best of the Plums yet, with Lula moonlighting as singer in a rock band with the sexually mixed-up Sally...add Grandma Mazur to the mix, and readers can be certain that whatever happens is bound to be laugh-out-loud funny. And of course, we've got boyfriend Morelli and the crazy sexual chemistry that hovers around our gal Steph and that hottie Ranger....how can we possibly wait a year for the next one?

DYB

I look forward to getting the new Plum books so, so much! I opened this the day it arrived and started reading. I finished it in two days...and that is a record for me lately! I loved this book!

It's back to sexual tension between Stephanie and Ranger and Stephanie not knowing what she wants from her relationship to Joe. That alone makes it a page turner! At the end of every book you want to know if she has chosen yet.

This book centers around Ranger and a man wanting to be Ranger. The man is homocidal and has kidnapped Ranger's daughter. He wants Stephanie and will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

Grandma Mazur, Sally Sweet, Lula, and Joyce Barnhardt just add to the melee and make the comical part of this book hilarious. Lula's outfits are enough to make you want to read more.

One of the best Plum's yet!

I started reading the Stepahine plum books around the time hot six came out. I was on holidays at the time at my parents house and my mum brought them home for me to read as some light fun. Since then i have read them each year as they come out, half excited, half dreading what they will be like. I am a big fan of the plum series. I find it refreshing to read a books where all the females arent perfect and all the men arent always brave, or always tough. Evanovich isnt afriad for her chracters to have faults, even someone as alluring as Ranger. She writes chracters that live their lives the way they know how. I have read a few other reviews for this book and people where disturbed by the way Ranger acted with Steph while his child was kidnapped. But i didnt find this to be the case, i know Ranger has always hid things from Stephanie about his life, but he has always been upfront about what he wants. He has told her numerous times that he is not the most stable person. And she has accepted that and remained his friend. I think this book has bulit on that and reinforced their friendship on a new level. I know that Joe is a good guy, but i think in twelve it shows how unsure they all are of what they thought they wanted.

To wrap it up, i think the book was good, it had a slight edge to it that the others didnt and that was a nice change. I hope janet keeps being brave and follows her ideas for these chracters, as i cant wait to see where they go.

I love the Stephanie Plum series. Absolutely hilarious. GREAT writing, great stories that all seem to overlap with each other in one form or another. You can start anywhere and know what is happening and just enjoy each one on it's own.

I wasn't crazy about the end, but this is by far my fave Stephanie Plum! I love, love the more depth look into Ranger. This book humanize a him a little. I don't know how Stephanie is going to make the choice she will eventually have to make.

I am a huge fan of Ms. Evanovich's Stephanie Plum novels and look forward to each new one. However, I was a little disappointed in "12 Sharp". It seemed a little perfunctory, a little forced and a little flat, seeming to lack the sense of fun and mischief that pervades the other Stephanie Plum books. Having said that, I will say that I believe that Janet Evanovich at her worst is far more entertaining than many other authors at their best. This book is not a waste of time. It is a good read. It just does not reach the heights of fun that so many of her previous books displayed.

Stephanie Plum is back, this time she is investigating the disappearance of a relative of Ranger's and she and her wacky partner Lula are apprehending another nutty assortment of FTA's. I liked this one better than the last two, but I can't say its worth the hardback price. The novel is fairly short, and despite a startling revelation, does not have a huge amount of substance, or new material.

I was pleasantly surprised the exploding cars were kept to a minimum, (I counted 1) and Steph was less incompetent than usual. She did do some pretty stupid things (such as sneaking out of her apartment when she is being stalked), and driving off and leaving her gun and 'safety button,' behind, but fortunately her men seemed to be wising up to her, and not falling for her tricks so easily. I enjoyed Melvin Pickle and the lightly touched upon Lula/Tank romance.

4 stars. Amusing, light humorous bit of fluff, which kept me entertained during the 6 hours I listened to it on my iPod.

Stephanie Plum the not-very-good bounty hunter finds herself being stalked by a demented woman who claims to be the wife of Ranger, Stephanie's super-cool bounty hunter friend and sometime lover. Then Ranger's supposed 'wife' is found dead, and his daughter is kidnapped, apparently by a nutter who thinks he IS Ranger. Stephanie meanwhile has the usual difficulties with capturing her skips (she still doesn't seem to know how to use a gun or a pair of handcuffs)and there is the usual dithering over who she likes best, the hot and sexy Morelli, who wants to marry her or the equally hot and sexy Ranger whose intentions are far less honourable.

I didn't find this book either as amusing or as exciting as the earlier ones. The same old situations seem to get played out over and over again. Stephanie can't make up her mind between Morelli and Ranger, which is beginning to bore me. I noticed, re-reading the first four books in the series recently, that there is no hint of any attraction between Stephanie and Ranger in these early books,and I can't help feeling that it would have been better if Ranger had never been turned into a secondary love interest. Why isn't Morelli good enough for her, for heaven's sake? The book only really picked up for me when Stephanie gets kidnapped by the nutter who is trying to be Ranger, during most of the book I found myself slightly bored. Even Grandma Mazur didn't seem as funny as usual. Bits of it still made me smile, but there was never a moment when I was rendered helpless with laughter, as i have often been in previous volumes. Maybe it's just me.

This is one of Janet Evanovich's best Stephanie Plum novels. As an avid fan who discovered Stephanie long before Janet hit big with this series, I believe without a doubt that Twelve Sharp is a fun ride and a fast read. There is a scene with Grandma Mazur that is completely hysterical and as always Lula is true to form. Janet's dialogue is so well crafted, the characters all have their own voice so I felt I was hearing them as I was reading. I highly recommend Twelve Sharp and will purchase the next Stephanie Plum novel as soon as it is available!

I read these years ago but they are wonderful. I can't always tell which story was which by just looking at the cover a I read them all back to back. They were always addictive and laugh out loud funny.

Ms. Evanovich surely created an endearing character with Stehpanie Plum, Bounty Hunter Extraordinaire. However, there is no place left for Stephanie to go. Her track record of disasters occurring while working at her dubious job has pretty much been worn out. Her relationships with the enigmatic Ranger and the dangerously attractive Morelli do not seem to change from book to book. If she can't make up her mind, perhaps it's time to find a new and entirely different lover. At any rate, Stephanie has run the gamut, in my opinion, and it is time for her to be retired. Ms. Evanovich is a clever writer but it is obvious, especially to the constant reader, that each book has become a bit more risque and this one has crossed the line. Maybe this is supposed to give the story a wider appeal. I find it a turn-off. People I know, who read this author, are well-educated, upper middle- class white women. And Ms. Evanovich is losing them.

All her books have been good. Am only part way thru the book where Joyce wants to become buddies with Stephanie. Grandma has a boy friend now so am wondering how that is going to turn out. Will Joyce snag Ranger? Love her books. Can't write a review now as I am not far enough into the book.

I love this series!!! Stephanie Plum is so much fun. She''s tough, sweet and always tangled up in something. You just never know whats going to happen next. You got to love her family and friends. She's also has 2 hot guys that she likes. And I know which one I like.....

I started reading the Stepahine plum books around the time hot six came out. I was on holidays at the time at my parents house and my mum brought them home for me to read as some light fun. Since then i have read them each year as they come out, half excited, half dreading what they will be like. I am a big fan of the plum series. I find it refreshing to read a books where all the females arent perfect and all the men arent always brave, or always tough. Evanovich isnt afriad for her chracters to have faults, even someone as alluring as Ranger. She writes chracters that live their lives the way they know how. I have read a few other reviews for this book and people where disturbed by the way Ranger acted with Steph while his child was kidnapped. But i didnt find this to be the case, i know Ranger has always hid things from Stephanie about his life, but he has always been upfront about what he wants. He has told her numerous times that he is not the most stable person. And she has accepted that and remained his friend. I think this book has bulit on that and reinforced their friendship on a new level. I know that Joe is a good guy, but i think in twelve it shows how unsure they all are of what they thought they wanted.

To wrap it up, i think the book was good, it had a slight edge to it that the others didnt and that was a nice change. I hope janet keeps being brave and follows her ideas for these chracters, as i cant wait to see where they go.

I love the Stephanie Plum series. Absolutely hilarious. GREAT writing, great stories that all seem to overlap with each other in one form or another. You can start anywhere and know what is happening and just enjoy each one on it's own.

I wasn't crazy about the end, but this is by far my fave Stephanie Plum! I love, love the more depth look into Ranger. This book humanize a him a little. I don't know how Stephanie is going to make the choice she will eventually have to make.

I am a huge fan of Ms. Evanovich's Stephanie Plum novels and look forward to each new one. However, I was a little disappointed in "12 Sharp". It seemed a little perfunctory, a little forced and a little flat, seeming to lack the sense of fun and mischief that pervades the other Stephanie Plum books. Having said that, I will say that I believe that Janet Evanovich at her worst is far more entertaining than many other authors at their best. This book is not a waste of time. It is a good read. It just does not reach the heights of fun that so many of her previous books displayed.

Stephanie Plum is back, this time she is investigating the disappearance of a relative of Ranger's and she and her wacky partner Lula are apprehending another nutty assortment of FTA's. I liked this one better than the last two, but I can't say its worth the hardback price. The novel is fairly short, and despite a startling revelation, does not have a huge amount of substance, or new material.

I was pleasantly surprised the exploding cars were kept to a minimum, (I counted 1) and Steph was less incompetent than usual. She did do some pretty stupid things (such as sneaking out of her apartment when she is being stalked), and driving off and leaving her gun and 'safety button,' behind, but fortunately her men seemed to be wising up to her, and not falling for her tricks so easily. I enjoyed Melvin Pickle and the lightly touched upon Lula/Tank romance.

4 stars. Amusing, light humorous bit of fluff, which kept me entertained during the 6 hours I listened to it on my iPod.

Stephanie Plum the not-very-good bounty hunter finds herself being stalked by a demented woman who claims to be the wife of Ranger, Stephanie's super-cool bounty hunter friend and sometime lover. Then Ranger's supposed 'wife' is found dead, and his daughter is kidnapped, apparently by a nutter who thinks he IS Ranger. Stephanie meanwhile has the usual difficulties with capturing her skips (she still doesn't seem to know how to use a gun or a pair of handcuffs)and there is the usual dithering over who she likes best, the hot and sexy Morelli, who wants to marry her or the equally hot and sexy Ranger whose intentions are far less honourable.

I didn't find this book either as amusing or as exciting as the earlier ones. The same old situations seem to get played out over and over again. Stephanie can't make up her mind between Morelli and Ranger, which is beginning to bore me. I noticed, re-reading the first four books in the series recently, that there is no hint of any attraction between Stephanie and Ranger in these early books,and I can't help feeling that it would have been better if Ranger had never been turned into a secondary love interest. Why isn't Morelli good enough for her, for heaven's sake? The book only really picked up for me when Stephanie gets kidnapped by the nutter who is trying to be Ranger, during most of the book I found myself slightly bored. Even Grandma Mazur didn't seem as funny as usual. Bits of it still made me smile, but there was never a moment when I was rendered helpless with laughter, as i have often been in previous volumes. Maybe it's just me.

This is one of Janet Evanovich's best Stephanie Plum novels. As an avid fan who discovered Stephanie long before Janet hit big with this series, I believe without a doubt that Twelve Sharp is a fun ride and a fast read. There is a scene with Grandma Mazur that is completely hysterical and as always Lula is true to form. Janet's dialogue is so well crafted, the characters all have their own voice so I felt I was hearing them as I was reading. I highly recommend Twelve Sharp and will purchase the next Stephanie Plum novel as soon as it is available!

I read these years ago but they are wonderful. I can't always tell which story was which by just looking at the cover a I read them all back to back. They were always addictive and laugh out loud funny.

Ms. Evanovich surely created an endearing character with Stehpanie Plum, Bounty Hunter Extraordinaire. However, there is no place left for Stephanie to go. Her track record of disasters occurring while working at her dubious job has pretty much been worn out. Her relationships with the enigmatic Ranger and the dangerously attractive Morelli do not seem to change from book to book. If she can't make up her mind, perhaps it's time to find a new and entirely different lover. At any rate, Stephanie has run the gamut, in my opinion, and it is time for her to be retired. Ms. Evanovich is a clever writer but it is obvious, especially to the constant reader, that each book has become a bit more risque and this one has crossed the line. Maybe this is supposed to give the story a wider appeal. I find it a turn-off. People I know, who read this author, are well-educated, upper middle- class white women. And Ms. Evanovich is losing them.

All her books have been good. Am only part way thru the book where Joyce wants to become buddies with Stephanie. Grandma has a boy friend now so am wondering how that is going to turn out. Will Joyce snag Ranger? Love her books. Can't write a review now as I am not far enough into the book.

I love Stephanie Plum. I love her family, friends and job. I love the messes she finds herself in.

Once again Stephanie finds herself at the center of a mystery. With the help of her loyal friends and family, she stands tall ready to meet the challenge, and then runs for a doughnut.

Consistently I have laughed until I cried while reading this series. Again, Janet Evanovich has written a funny, mystery. I'd go into details, but I don't want to ruin the plot.

I think Stephanie fans will enjoy this book.

Having just finished James Fenimore Cooper's "Wing-and-Wing," I bought a copy of this novel at the local supermarket for some lighter reading as a change of pace. The novel has its moments. You may find yourself rolling on the floor when you get to the part about the flamingo feather thong, but read on. The part about the band practice is a real hoot. The novel has Evanovich's usual collection of zany characters, along with the usual earthy language.

Along the way there is a serious plot about a kidnapped child. As usual, criminals are not very smart. And Stephanie is torn between Morelli and Ranger as the case brings her very close to Ranger. Her own life is in some danger. She contemplates finding another line of work, but continues on. Joyce is back to add to the problems, and it would hardly be a Plum novel without a vehicle getting blown up somewhere along the way, and a visit to the local funeral home.

In regard to the negative reviews, if readers are looking for great literature, they should be reading novels by Thomas Hardy or similar authors. If they want a change of pace, and something to make them laugh, then they should read novels by Evanovich. Lighten up (and also learn how to write reviews and correct your grammar).

It's summer, it's time for a new Stephanie Plum. As you just might guess, it's the 12th. What's it about: A Stranger, Secrets Exposed, Somebody Dies, The Chase is On. Is that enough? Do you really care? It's a new Stephanie Plum!

What? You don't know Stephanie plum? There's a reason that this is the store's #1 best seller. But: don't read this one yet. Start with #1 - One for the Money. Read them in order. While they don't exactly build on one another, each is a free standing book in its own right, you'll get more pleasure out of seeing how the personalities, situations, characters develop.

I guess the real question is how does this compare with #11. In my most humble opinion better. I think Evanovich left us hanging in #11 thinking that Stephanie wasn't going to be a bounty hunter any longer but simply work at a job. Yuck! But fear not, she's back, and up to her usual ways.

Do not, under any circumstances, read this book in public. Preferably do not read this book unless your bladder is empty. As most of her Stephanie Plum books are, it is hysterically funny. Laugh out loud, embarass yourself in public, snortingly funny. Yes, all the characters you love are back. Dear, handsome, wonderfully studly Joe; dark and mysterious but now much more forthcomingly romantic Ranger; nutso and wildly wonderful Grandma Mazur; terrific Lula, a character I didn't like at first and now love; Stephanie's parents who tolerate more than one would think they would, could and should; and all the other characters of a Stephanie Plum novel. This book's main case hits close to home with Ranger the father of his kidnapped child and protector of his not-quite-lover Stephanie who's also targeted by the bad guy. The romantic undercurrents between Stephanie, Joe and Ranger are not overplayed, but are there all the same. (I almost wish this were a Lora Leigh novel where Stephanie could have both Joe and Ranger, at the same time! Woowser!!) But, anyway...a great book and the finale is exciting and all I can say is "eenie, meenie, minee, moe, two handsome studs...where do I go?" Gotta to wait for #13, I guess.

You know, I've just finished the latest episode in Stephanie Plum's life, and although I enjoyed it, I missed some of the traditional aspects. First things first.........I was relieved to get more insight into Ranger. He has until now, been quite a mysterious fellow. Evanovich gives us a little more information about him and so now he doesn't seem quite so BAD....But heck, who doesn't like bad?? However, I missed the cars blowing up, Stephanie's haphazard approach to her job that ends up all messy with fires, bombings, and the like. There was very little dialogue from beloved Sally Sweet, who is my favorite character of all time in this series. And grandma seemed a little weak also. There was so much focus on Ranger in this one that somethings had to give. I really don't think giving us more background on Ranger was a bad thing to do. As far as the love triangle goes, I love it. I love the conflict and both men's patience with Stephanie. If Evanovich can keep it going but make us sweat for our heroine I say go for it! Eliminating one man from the romance picture would be a disaster. Please dear Janet, don't run out of gas!

As a Plum fan, I've followed this series for years. THe humor in this 12th edition is roll-on-the-floor-with-tears-in-your-eyes good. Getting more information on the Ranger character with each book, but the love triangle with Stephanie between Ranger and Joe is getting a little tired. In terms of action, this one rates high in the series and Grandma Mazur gets more print, which is great. They biggest negative is that I read it cover to cover in one afternoon. Great light, beach reading, but leaves one hungry for more (fan fiction has to hold me over for another year).

Maybe I'm expecting too much of this type of book but come on Stephanie! For someone who has been on the job and in a "relationship" for this long, there should be more character development. I think it is just plain disgusting that she fools around with Ranger, in whatever manner. And I agree with another writer that Morelli appears to be a doormat or is he just plain stupid? This book was a fast read with an occasional laugh but over all it had little personality, sort of like Stephanie.....

I have to admit I love the Plum Series so I may a little biased but I do believe this is an outstanding book. It had the humor, the action, the juice and it made me in a better mood after a long day at work.

It had a lot of Ranger in it and I guess that people accustomed to this series who have been rooting for Morelli might find Ranger's presence a bit threatening. I like the Morelli character but I love the Ranger character so to me; seeing more of him was great.

Lula has a personality that just makes you want to hang out with her - not a dull moment around her.

Grandma Mazur is hilarious as always & she sure can party with the wildest - fun entertaining in a perfect dosage.

Overall it's an awesome book - one of the best out of the Plum series so far. Before book 10, my favorites have been 1; 5 & 8 but after book 10 they have only gotten better and better.

Anybody who likes a blend or Mystery, action, romance and great humor will love this book. I say go for it - it's worth every penny and then some!

Another hilarious audio book with great narration and voices by

Lorelei King.

Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum novels are a hoot!

A good break from the thrillers I usually read.

Highly recommended.

What a wonderful escape, to leave it all behind and go bounty hunting with Stephanie for a while. Ms. Evanovich knows just how to keep a plot going, and simmer the romantic stew a little at the same time. This is a very funny and interesting book, as usual.

this is not the best in the series (buy 1-10), not the worst either, it's worth the time & money. this is simply not as humorous nor as clever as the last 10. the plot line is interesting, maybe more so then some of previous series, but just not enough of anything else, so it leaves you wanting. simply the humor & flow that a devoted fan looks forward to isn't there & the characters are weaker than previous books. it would not be an easy summer read if you hadn't read the previous 10 series as it relies heavily on the past for explanations. with such a wealth of material & talented author to expand the series lets hope 12 isn't played out. even though I would buy it just to find out what the characters are up to every June.

Janet Evanovich continues to give us a fresher Stephanie Plum while keeping alive the things we love about that wacky Stephanie. I keep expecting for Evanovich's writing to get stale, but just the reverse is the case with Twelve Sharp - she's sharper than ever.

You can't go wrong with a Stephanie Plum novel. If you try to read them all in a row, the background information will get a bit repetative. Otherwise, it's not stop laughing and gasping as Stephanie tries to solve another case. The end is a real cliffhanger, but wraps up nicely. The real question is: Are you a Ranger girl or a Morelli girl?

I've read Evanovich since her first Stephanie Plum book and, as often happens, the series felt like it was fading around #8. Now I'm pleased to see that Evanovich has managed to revive her characters and bring in a great addition to Vinnie's office staff- a guy who has jumped bond, but is likeable and efficient with filing. The Ranger/Morrelli tension is predictable, the plot of the kidnap a bit thin, but you will get a great laugh out of the scenes with Grandma Mazur, Lulu and Sally playing in a rock band to "sold out" senior citizen centers. Certainly worth your money.

Now this was the best Janet in quite a few books. It had everything: comedy, adventure, comedy, great characters, comedy and good ole lust!!!

Lulu's expressions are priceless, especially when she and Stephanie were apprehending a 'client'. Grandma Mazur was hysterical in this book. I had laryngitis on my business trip and the barking laugh in the Delta red eye was something to hear!

There were adequate doses of Ranger and Morelli. I understand Stephanie's angst over loving the two of them! Naysayers are forgetting the double standard???? Go, Stephanie! I love it while it lasts!!!

Also, the return of Joyce Barnhardt is a comedic gift! She is great! Her line about "Love the herpes. Adds color to your face" made me ask the flight attendant for glass of water, which I spilled anyway. Janet has these one liners running throughout the book and they are a hoot.

The last third of the book is cannot-put-down. I loved Ranger's love for his daughter and could feel the regret there, but he's a man who knows how to handle his emotions. Everyone seems to be maturing a little more each book. Not too much I hope. And Stephanie can enjoy both guys until her biological clock alarm rings. Some people are hoping Eve Dallas in the "....In Death" series has a baby with Roarke soon. Get a grip. We dont read these books for that ultimate destination!

Twelve Sharp was well done. I have all Janet's books and this one really makes me look forward to the next.

Twelve Sharp is yet another great installment in the Stephanie Plum series. While I was a little disappointed in Hard Eight and To the Nines, the last three books have more than made up for it. In Twelve Sharp, we get to see a lot of Ranger/Stephanie/Morelli interaction.

Stephanie steps in to help Ranger find a killer and a kidnapper when someone close to Ranger disappears, a body turns up, and Ranger is suspected of murder. I loved seeing Ranger and Stephanie together and wished for a little more at the end. The tension between these two sizzles and burns. The best part is we get to learn a little more about Ranger in this book and see a whole new side to Ranger. Morelli and Ranger are both wanting a little more of Stephanie and when all three are in the same room the testosterone takes over. There is also a little romance in the air for Lula.

The author never fails to give me a good laugh. Her cast of characters are well described, and nutty as they come.

Only downside is it's a little shorter than the previous Stephanie Plum books, I read it in a couple of hours.

Same characters, same situations, same type of humor. If you like this series, and I do, you will like the book. However, they are best read a year apart as they are written, because otherwise the obviousness of the formulaic writing intrudes on the enjoyment of the books.

Janet Evanovich graces the charts yearly with the marvelous Stephanie Plum and once again - with the new and lovable Alexandra Barnaby novels. This one was a real treat because the comedy hit home (the funeral home, Lula's gigs, job applicants etc.) and we loved the mystery and the intense Ranger when he is put to the test. I love the characters and the writing is as fresh as ever but the only downside is that Steph needs to make a choice when it comes to men, that has been getting under my skin the last few times. Although, I and millions of readers with flock to B&N and the store.com to get our copies of the hilarious lives and tribulations of the characters of Janet's marvelous novels that triumph over any other attempts at summer beach read humor writing.

I am disappointed with this book for several reasons:

1. I read these books for the laugh out loud scenes. This book has NONE! It feels like Janet has run out of steam. If that is the case, then she should end the series gracefully now.

2. The mystery does not make sense. A nobody steals Ranger's identity and kidnaps his daughter. Ranger and his Merry Men with their high tech toys are always a step behind. Come on, who is the security expert here? I understand this is fluff fiction, but still, give the readers some credit.

3. Steph is still bad at her job. She is a little better, but, not much. When is she going to get her act together and learn to kick some butts? After 12 books, a little character development will be nice. Whatever was developed in book 1 seemed to have been forgotten (she was good with her gun by the end of book one).

4. The love triangle - this has been going on for far too many books. It has become so sordid. YUCK!!!! The extend of Steph's infidelity and lack of remorse for cheating on her boyfriend is reprehensible (especially in this book). How can anyone like a heroine like that? What does it say to the younger impressionable readers? It is OK to have a boyfriend and have someone else kiss and grope you? Pick a man and stick with it. This love triangle has to end NOW.

If you are a fan of the series, you WILL enjoy this entertaining book with more of the typical antics of Stephanie Plum. Lula's character is funny in this novel and she gets most of the laughs, Ranger is "out of character" but I think this was intended, Morelli isn't a big focus this time around. This novel is exactly what I would expect from book number twelve. PS: Hot Six is my personal fav

This is a quick read for Plum lovers and good summer beach read

Stephanie Plum has two men in her life -- Ranger and Joe. In Book 1, Joe is on the lam, in Book 12, it is Ranger.

Both are macho hunk, both make her melt, both are the light of her life. But, Ranger is self described as the "dessert" in her food pyramid -- which he believes to depict a fun romp but not for the long haul. But, what he does not know is that dessert is her food pramid.

Joe, is the guy who goes to her house every Friday for dinner and then for his ability to tolerate the banter, gets his own just desserts from Stephanie.

Enjoyable and playful characters of the Burg, these books grow and grow and grow on you. There are times that you will find yourself in stitches (the scene of interviewing the prospective new bounty hunters is amazingly tight and funny).

If you pick this book up -- I will almost guarantee you that you will finish it within hours.

In my experience, mystery series tend to get bogged down round about the twelfth book in the series. I'm happy to report that such is not the case with Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum.

Things could get a little dull by the time you've made it through a dozen books, but Twelve Sharp is riddled with the humor, excitement, and lust that we've come to expect -- and love -- in a Stephanie Plum book. All the favorites are back (Grandma Mazur, Lula, Connie, Ranger, Joe and Bob) plus some new friends, and the antics are as wacky as ever.

This book is sure to please the most devoted of Stephanie fans.

This has to be my favorite series currently being written. I mean how can you go wrong with a sexy cop, a mysterious bounty hunter, dessert, thongs, stun guns and a little granny who gyrates to the rolling stones while wearing leather and a wig? This thirteenth installment of the Stephanie Plum series had me laughing out loud and filled with tension until the final chapter. I was glad to see that we learned more about Ranger, who I secretly want Stephanie to end up with, and were able to feel a little more tension between him, Stephanie and Morelli. I have a feeling that the next book will reflect the revelations Stephanie came to at the end of this one. How long do we have to wait for #13? Too long.

I have read almost all of Janet EVanovich's Stephanie Plum novels and have found all of them to be very funny. Most of them I would definetly give 5 stars, this one was good, but not as good as the others.

I just hope she keeps writing about Stephanie Plum and her very interesting family and men friends. Grandma is hysterical!

I have loved all of Ms. Evanovich's Plum series -- some more than others -- but this one definitely takes the cake in more ways the one!!

Contrary to what some reviewers say, we DO get to know Ranger a little more (he's supposed to be a man of mystery so do we really want to know everything?). After "Eleven on Top", Stephanie is now back as a bail bonds agent and due to her cousin Vinny going a little crazy on the bonding and Ranger taking fewer and fewer cases, the office is now very much behind in picking up FTAs (failure to appear - in court). Connie, Lula and Stephanie are sorting through files and prioritizing. They also decide to advertise for another agent and what a hoot that turns out to be!!

In the meantime, a woman all in black like Ranger accosts Stephanie tellng her that SHE is his wife, Carmen, and Stephanie had better stay away. Ranger is out of touch so even though Stephanie contacts him after "his wife" pulls a gun on her, she is only able to leave voice messages.

Suddenly things get more complicated as Ranger's daughter who lives in Florida with her mom and stepdad is kidnapped -- by Ranger!! A murder occurs and someone is following Stephanie!! On top of that, Ranger moves into her apartment!!

I really enjoyed the interaction between Stephanie, Ranger and Morelli as well as the side stories of Lula and Tank, Lula, Grandma Mazur and the band and the new owners of the funeral home!! Lots of excitement, comedy, mystery and romance!!

What more could you want? I read it straight through in one night!

Janet really hit the nail on the head this time. All the characters had growth in this book. Stephanie is back and has a more take charge attitude that seemed to be lacking in some of the past books. We learn more than we have before about Ranger, about where he grew up, about what happened when he was younger and the story behind his daughter. Joe finally has returned too, which I was really glad to see. He is back to being a take charge guy and not letting Stephanie walk all over him.

This book was a little darker than Janet's past book, but there are still plenty of laugh out loud moments. Grandma Mazur, Lula and Sally Sweet, do I need to say more.

I do wonder if others read the same book as I did. Janet has said in numerous interviews that the triangle is not going to be resolved till the end of the series, which doesn't look to be ending anytime soon. So if you are looking for there to be an end to the triangle, you might not like this book. However, if you want a fun summer read and love the way Janet writes, this is the book for you.

I was used to the former audio voice, which was fantastic, with perfect timing that added to the humor and had great character renditions. This new audio voice is so ANNOYING and not even in the same league as the former one.

Couldn't put it down, read it in two days, makes the year very long waiting for the next one. Was a little disappointed that her car didn't blow up though, just kidding. I love the Stephanie Plum novels, good plots, with laughter and just enough sextual tension between everyone to keep it interesting! You go girl!

I waited and waited all year for Twelve Sharp. I have read all the other Stephanie Plum novels at least 5 times...I loved them, especially the first 6. TS didn't seem like it was even written by the same person. Janet, what happened? Stephanie was whiny, and even though she confessed her love for Joe, she cheated on him. Ranger was more concerned about getting sex with Stephanie, than he was about his daughter. Then, Ranger, bounty hunter supreme, has his identity stolen from some yahoo, and is always two steps behind? Can't figure it out? The whole of Rangeman Enterprises can't find this guy or get a clue about him? Must be Rnager's whole mind was only on getting laid. This isn't the Ranger with the morals and caring in the other books. Valerie and Albert and gone. Grandma is basically just passing through. Bob and Rex and only brief thoughts. Joe is decent and upright, and gets screwed by the girl who loves him and the man he is trying to help. The only glimpses of the other books is when dealing with Lula and Mr. Plum. I would swear that Janet Evanovich only wrote passages in this book, and someone else wrote the rest. I didn't like this Stephanie, this Ranger, and I wanted to smack both of them...lol. All in all, the book feels more churned out than thought out.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Stephanie had a major revelation in her feelings for *both* of the men in her life, and the ending was quite poignant. I think there are at least two more books before the series ends, so Janet Evanovich has to continue walking that tightrope of Steph's relationships with Morelli and Ranger. There was plenty of humor, too; Grandma Mazur is wonderful, and picturing Lula in some of those costumes was laugh out loud funny! I'm glad that we got a break from Kloughn and Valerie, too. I'm looking forward to 13! Too bad we have to wait a year.

This book is pretty good. Among one of my favourite stephanie plum books but i noticed heaps of differences about our fave gal. Number one she's not as dysfunctional in this one and I mean this in the way that shes not being humped by crazy horny bulldogs or getting into any paintball wars or mud wrestling rings like she used to - and i liked that. And number two she's not as scared of the bad guys like she used to be. You could just say that she's growing up and getting more expirence in her profession but shes definetly changed. Also she lost some of her scruples. She's getting some good lovey dovey scenes between both Ranger and Morelli in this book. Hey, I aint complaining! Anyway this is a good storyline besides that. Some guy is going around stealing Ranger's identity, marrying a woman who looks like stephanie and kidnapping his daughter. It's a good storyline and I enjoy the fact that Ranger and Morelli moved into Steph's apartment. If only janet evanoviche would elaborate that scene a little bit more. Anyway great read and Its great to see my fave girl back in action

ps. how awesome is the fact that lula is having a relationship with Tank? they can double date! whoohoo!

This book has it all, lots of Morrelli, Ranger, Grandma Mazur, Lula, Tank.... Liked the storyline because it showed more about Ranger's mysterious past and gave the details about his marriage and daughter. Although this book seemed a bit more serious than Evanovich's other Plum books, there were still many moments that I chuckled and just shook my head. Steph is a riot and only these things could happen to her!! Now Stephanie is really up in the air on whether it's Joe or Ranger she really wants, after one of them is almost killed. She's on the fence whether she's a Cupcake or a Babe. It's well worth the read; too bad we have to wait another year for the next one to come out!

I saw the book Metro Girl in the library and thought I would give it a try and loved it, so I moved onto the the Plum Series. I read the whole series in a little over a month, I just couldn't put these books down. I ran to the store and got Twelve Sharp the day it was available and read it in less than 4 hours but am a little sad having to wait another year for 13! I can't wait to see where the story goes. I so want Stephanie and Joe to make their relationship work. Stephanie and her family are a hoot, the bounty hunter fiasco's are hilarious and both Morelli and Ranger are HOT STUFF! That love triangle is hot! I can't help but laugh out loud when reading each of these books. I enjoyed he series so much I ordered the set and can't wait to recieve it so I can read them over! A great way to spend an evening...with an entertaining, quick read with characters that are easy to like and want to know.

My biggest problem with the Stephanie Plum books is waiting for the next one to come!! Loved this. Anything that has more of Ranger is better. Morrelli is great but, OH OH Ranger. The usual characters are their usual selves ~ a riot! I didn't miss her sisters bunch at all. Stephanie is getting to be better at bounty hunting, as she should, but still very fragile in appropriate ways. Bring on the next!

As always, lots of screwball characters and situations plus a side of Ranger that we have never seen before--the father who must find his daughter and the impersonator who kidnapped her. And Stephanie finally says those three little words aloud and also admits feelings she can't say aloud (at least in this book) to herself. You just can't put these books down!

Although TS is better than the previous two books in the series, it is still lacking in a lot of areas. There are many parts of the book that just don't add up. The mystery was under developed, it fact it just doesn't make a lot of sense.

There is a man that wants to be just like Ranger and has stolen his identity. People have been unsuccessfully trying, since the beginning of the series, to get information on Ranger. How come all of the sudden there is information available about Ranger? This man steals everything from Ranger's credit cards to his daughter.

Why did Ranger have to move in with Stephanie? It says it is because he is on the run from the police. But since no one knows where he lives, why doesn't he just go home like he did while on the run in previous books?

Ranger doesn't seem to be worried about his daughter as a parent would be. He seems more occupied with trying to get with Steph. Steph seems more worried about Ranger's daughter that he does.

Steph says that out of all of the people that she knows that Ranger has the best sense of right or wrong. Then he tries to pushes himself on her, which is wrong, since she has a boyfriend. I guess they both have a messed up sense of right & wrong.

I usually like Ranger, but in this book, I just didn't. I like Steph less in this book also. She needs to make up her mind. The triangle needs to end. The series can continue and be a better series without it. I was disappointed that a lot of the major characters in the series made no appearance in this book.

The book is not a total waste. We do get a closer look at Joe and Stephanie's relationship, which is the best part of the book. Ranger's kid is great and is the real hero in the book. Lula, Grandma and Steph's family are fun as always. Lula is in a rock band with Sally Sweet, which I loved. I love that Lula finally gets to hook up with one of the Merrymen and that Steph has finally gotten her act together. No rolling in garbage or blowing up cars.

I love the series and anxiously await each new book but I'm beginning to wonder if Janet Evanovich hasn't grown bored or just doesn't really care any longer. When book Eleven ended Stephanie was working for Rangeman and had left bond enforcement behind. Book twelve has her back at the bond's office with no mention of her career change. Another reviewer had mentioned how Stephanie starts off in her apartment then it switches to a condo before becoming her apartment again. And as much as I've wanted the see things develop between Steph and Ranger, I don't care for the 'love triange' aspect of it. In the next book Evanovich needs to have her make a clean break with Joe so she can resolve things with Ranger once and for all without all this guilt. At this point Stephanie is just plain cheating on Joe and it doesn't fit that Ranger's character is content with unconscious cuddling and a few hot kisses. I think at this point Evanovich's loyal fans deserve more than a book that goes through the motions and can be finished in four hours.

I just discovered this series about a month ago and have read all 12 books now. In my opinion, this one wasn't her best. I enjoyed the emotional plot of Ranger's daughter and I did enjoy seeing a another side of the elusive Ranger. However, the Ranger-Morelli situation has gotten boring. Morelli is starting to look like a fool. I get annoyed with her kissing and flirting with Ranger when she calls Morelli "her boyfriend". It's starting to feel alot like cheating to me. I think its time to give Morelli a woman to flirt with him and give Stephanie a run for her money! Also, I felt the book was a little short and definately short on the sex! 12 Sharp was the least sexy of the whole series. Janet needs to spice it back up with Stephanie and Joe!!

I LOVED IT! LOVED IT! LOVED IT! The Ranger/ Morelli conflict is a bit frustrating, but I turn the pages in suspense. Oh heck ya! I love the conflict, The characters are the best, Great to read more about the life and times in New Jersey and my favorite female bounty hunter. Can't wait for Lucky 13. Great escape from Daily life- Couldn't put it down. Thanks Ms. Evanovich-

After finishing Twelve Sharp, I tried to figure out what it was about the way that it was written that bothered me so much and why it felt different to me from the other books in the series. The book had the usual humor, mystery, romance, and interaction related to work and going after FTA's, Steph's sometimes crazy family, and her relationship with Joe and Ranger. The kidnapping with respect to it being the basis of the mystery part of the story line appeared to be attention-grabbing along with the possibility that Ranger was married and more of his deep dark secrets would be revealed, sounded appealing. I especially enjoyed the interaction and playfulness between Stephanie and Joe and thought Twelve Sharp offered some special moments between them throughout the book.

I have been disappointed and confused by the direction Janet has taken with regards to the characters of Stephanie and Ranger in the last few books. I have no problem reading about Stephanie struggling with her feelings. However, for the life of me I can not figure out why she would want to write about Stephanie and Joe being together as a couple, why she has so many humorous, wonderful, intimate, and special moments between them, and then it's ruined by her decision to have Ranger stay at Stephanie's apartment and the two of them sleep together. I felt it portrayed them as too sleazy and it's contradicting to how she represented the characters up to that time. I felt she took the characters to a different level with the suggestion that they would have had another sexual encounter if Joe hadn't showed up, and it just left me with a negative feeling about the characters at that time and I certainly found no humor in it.

I also felt uncomfortable with the way Janet wrapped her usual humor and sex/romance around a story line of kidnapping. It just didn't seem to fit together this time. The characters being flirty and humorous at a time when they should be serious, because it did involve Julie, was a little too off for me to enjoy.

I am hoping that Janet has a plan or outline of how the story will play out in the end, because the story will end someday, and the actions and behaviors of the characters throughout the series will be realized. Even though the series and characters are Fiction, they still need to feel like characters that we can relate to and enjoy reading about. I'm hopeful that it won't be a flip of the coin decision that will make no sense and not bring the story together at the conclusion. For me, that would be a big disappointment as would be a final book with two endings. Hopefully, all is not lost and book Thirteen will take us back to the characters we loved reading about so much.

I really, really, really love the Stephanie Plum series. And I love Janet's other series as well. I really disliked this book. I felt the whole time I was reading it that Janet is just pushing out another book because we fans are waiting for more.

I did not find the characters to be very likable and was getting really tired of Ranger putting his hands under Stephanie's shirt every time he got with in 20 feet of her. Maybe it is time Stephanie stops mooning over a guy that she knows is not going to commit or stop stringing Joe along.I was really saddened that all they could think about was sex when a little girl was in such danger.

Maybe if Janet can't do better than this, and I really am hoping that she can, it is time to end the seies. I will read number 13 when it comes out, but I am not sure if I will be in such a rush. Let's all hope that Janet gets these wonderful characters back for us.

It's the year 2006. Women really can do something besides get married, "settle down", have kids and move to the suburbs. They can even decide by default to become bounty hunters.

JE has written a wonderful character that we are all very passionate about, Babe OR Cupcake affiliations aside. Someone already said it well when they called this fine summer beachside reading. We buy the books because we want more of Stephanie, more of Ranger, more of Joe, Grandma Mazur, Lula, Connie and the entire Merry Man brigade at Rangeman. Add in an assortment of kooky bail jumpers and suspensful plots and what have you got? A bestseller.

We adore Janet Evanovich for the very reason that she has stayed true to her characters. You want personal growth? Take college courses. You want character growth? Read between the lines. Stephanie has grown and evolved. And if she can't decide between two men? Wow, many of us have been in the same position. And if Stephanie were a man, there wouldn't be much discussion about her morals.

The fact, that Ranger isn't close to a daughter that lives in another state probably reflects the situation that many non-custodial parents face. The fact that he has a real emotional connection with Stephanie isn't surprising. She's in his life and in his head. And most likely in his heart. I for one am hoping to see more of his daughter in coming books. Maybe wishful thinking, but the character was well written.

And I believe that Joe and Ranger are pretty neck in neck when it comes to thinking about sex. It's why the triangle continues to be HOT!

We waited patiently all year for another Plum book to come out. We obsessed, wrung our hands, discussed possibilities ad nauseum...and my patience was rewarded. This is one of the best of the series. I'll continue reading. And obsessing!

Lois

I didn't mind that the books were getting shorter and shorter. Nor did I mind the thin plots or the weakening characterizations.

But what I do mind is that I didn't laugh out loud once while reading "Twelve Sharp". That's what kept me reading these books. Please, Janet, how about slowing down?!?

I absolutely LOOOOVEE the Plum series. I've been waiting for 12 for what seems like forever! My only complaint is that it was over much too soon. I need at least 450 pages if you're going to make us wait so long Janet. Several laugh out loud moments, this book (like all of them) is hilarious. I'm sure the people on my commuter bus thought I was nuts. I do agree with some of the other comments that the Ranger/Joe thing MUST be resolved in the next book, it's gone on long enough. I personally think Steph should get her rocks off one last time with Ranger and then commit to Joe. May Joe could find out about it later which could make for interesting reading. The bit on Lula and Tank was great. I missed Valerie and Albert though. Don't keep us waiting so long for 13 Janet, I beg you. We love Stephanie!

I have read all of the books in the Plum series and found this book to be very disappointing. I really liked books 1-8 or 9 of this series, but suspect that Ms. Evanovich had a lot of "help" writing book 12 (and books 10-11) because there are lots of parts in book 12 (and books 10-11) that just don't seem like they were written by the same person who wrote the first 9 books--there are lots of inconsistencies, many of the characters just don't react the same way that they did in the first 9 books and Ms. Evanovich's comic book style/timing of writing was missing from most parts of the book. But most disappointing of all was the fact that Stephanie turned into a liar and a cheat in this book and I don't like her anymore. Morelli fans, and I'll admit that I am one of them, will be greatly disappointed in this book (even though it does have some great Morelli moments in it that are classic Evanovich) because Stephanie is turning Morelli into an idiot and a fool and the Morelli of the first 8 or 9 books was not an idiot and would never be anyone's fool. Many Stephanie fans will be disappointed because Stephanie, who was the victim of a lying and cheating husband herself, has now turned into a lying and cheating girlfriend without any guilt or remorse at having done so--she's turned into Dickie or, even worse, Joyce. And I suspect that some Ranger fans will be disappointed too as Ranger, to me anyway, comes off as more amoral mercenary than heroic Rambo in this book--he uses the kidnapping of his daughter (granted he does not have a strong emotional attachment to his daughter for reasons that are noble in my opinion) as a means of moving in on Stephanie. I'll admit that I have always wanted Stephanie to choose Morelli, but I was willing to live with either ending as long as it made sense. The only choice that Ranger has ever given Stephanie is to be "dessert" with some other man being her main meal, and there was no indication in book 12 that Ranger's choice option had changed. Many people talk of this as a triangle, but I agree with the other reviewer who said that it's not a triangle because Joe doesn't know about Stephanie's sexual attraction/involvement with Ranger. It seems that Stephanie has chosen Ranger's option and it seems that Ms. Evanovich thinks that she will please all of her readers by letting Stephanie have Ranger for dessert and while still having Morelli as her main meal. I hope that is not the case as I think most Plum readers would be very disappointed with that turn of events and, if that is where this series is going, I do not even want to read book 13 since Stephanie doing both Ranger and Morelli at the same time is just not realistic or appealing--maybe Cloughn would put up with that, but the Morelli that Ms. Evanovich created would not put up with such an arrangement. You can't please everyone, so I hope Ms. Evanovich tries to only please herself in book 13 and then, maybe, the series has a hope of resurrecting itself. Books 1-9 were very enjoyable and I have read each book several times. I have read books 10-12 only once and do not intend to read them again. And right now I don't know if I want to read book 13 at all.

This is Evanavich's best and funniest work to date. I had to pull over 3 times because I was laughing too hard to continue driving. Miss King is a wonderful narrator that gives the charaters such depth and detail that I can picture everyone in my mind. I really recommend listening to these on CD, they are a wonderful diversion on road trips, just use extreme caution!!

Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich was fun escape from reality for a few hours. This novel was better than # 11. Steph. is still a bounty hunter and she still has two hunky men in her life. The humor, sexual tension and danger are all mixed into this novel. A great afternoon read. I am a fan and read any thing new of Janet's.

My favorite numbers book. Ranger's character was developed to show a lot of differents emotions. Hilarious when Joe decides he has to live with Stephanie after Ranger has decided he needs to hide out at her apt. And Grandma Mazur in a rock band. No wonder poor Ellen tipples in the kitchen.

I always enjoy the Stephanie Plum adventures. I normally get quite a few good laughs from her escapades. This is another series that I can hardly wait for the next book to come out. This one certainly didn't disappoint.

I was disappointed in 12 Sharp. They story line was okay, I guess. I'm starting to think Ranger's a real whimp. What happened to things like, "I'm an opportunist." And "I'm not a nice guy. I take what I want"? Ranger is a great character. I love this character. I just don't think he'd be so passive if he actually spent so much time in bed with Steph. It just isn't believable for me any more.

Oh, and if you're trying to figure out how Steph quit working for Rangeman, forget it. Apparently you're supposed to use your imagination.

I guess it's a good story, but I wish the story line would have Steph move forward or move back instead of going around and around the same circle in her relationships. This passive-aggressiveness with Ranger is making me crazy.

Once again, the life of bounty hunter Stephanie Plum becomes complicated, both seriously and comicly. This series is very lighthearted, with oddball characters practically rolling off the pages, and the laughs just rolling out of the reader's mouth. The author's comic timing and sense of humorous wordplay are absolutely perfect. There is a plot, of course, but I really don't think that anyone cares about the plot as long as they can read about Stephanie's misadventures and her supporting cast of loonies. I enjoy every one of these books, and they all end too soon for me!

I devour each Stephanie Plum novel and this one was no exception. I agree with other reviewers that there were no LOL moments and it seemed to be formulaic. I was so disappointed in Ranger's portrayal in this book. Where was the man of mystery? The classy, mysterious, elusive man? He was written like his character in the first novel... street. And this copycat Ranger! Puhleese! He studies Ranger w/o Ranger knowing, Ranger admits he's good and he comes off in the end reminding me of Albert Kloughn. BTW, where were Valerie and Albert? The book felt forced to me, not many details, no character growth... Yawn. I'll still be "Team Ranger" and will try to block this book out of my fantasies. LOL

I agree with the other reviews about reading this book in public. Many times I would laugh out loud and people would look at me funny. I love all the characters. I love Lula and Grandma Mazur. Wish Grandma was in it more. I read it too fast and now waiting for Janet Evanovich to finish another book!

I read all of the Stephanie Plum novels in a month and cannot wait book 13 (which I would love to be named Lucky 13)! The Ranger, Stephanie, Morelli trianlge is KILLING me!

The plot line in this book was the best yet. It moved along quickly and I was so enthralled I didn't even feel the need to guess what would happen next. The quirky characters just add more flavor and depth to this already terrific read.

I've read almost all the Plum series and some, as can be expected, are better than others. I didn't like the dual Ranger deal in this one. It just didn't seem plausible to me. I also didn't like him moving in on Stephanie, sleeping in her bed, even! after she told him no. He touches her too much, especially knowing that she's another guy's girl!

Lula is pretty goofy, but I still like her. I hope Melvin Pickle continues as a character in the next book. Oh, and the agent planted in the bonds office was way too predictable.

I cannot get enough of these novels. I collect them. This one was better than usual. If you have never read a Evanovich's "Stephanie Plum" novel this would be a good one to start. Evanovich's books are good reading whether you are young or old, man or woman. Her characters make the story. She has a knack for using them to get you involved in the story. i am always disappointed when one of her books come to an end.

Another light-hearted read from Janet Evanovich. While the plot centers around a kidnapping and some murders, you still get some laugh out loud scenes - what else could you expect from characters like Stephanie, Lula and Grandma Mazur? Loved the continuing triangle with Steph, Joe and Ranger - it keeps things interesting. I really enjoyed how much focus Ranger gets in this book - it was time that we learned more about him.

What I liked most about this book is how Steph has complete faith in Ranger and helps him out without question, even when others are doubting him. Can't wait for book 13!!!

If you want to read a fun book with a heroine who is loving loyal, caring and funny then i'm afraid this book is not for you.

In Twelve Sharpe Stephanie is faithless and disloyal amd manipulative . She continues to cheat on Joe in her persuit of getting the 'Ranger Orgasm'.Her arrogant disregard for Joe's feelings as she allows Ranger to grope and fondle her are turning her character into a […]and a […] in heat.

At this point I have lost all feelings for Steph and hope Joe catches her in bed with Ranger and tosses her out of his life.Its what she deserves and it will finally move this repetative and sleazy triangle into a different direction from where its been stuck book after book.

Stephanie continues to manipulate Joe and their relationship and as I continually wait for her to choose its finally dawned on me that obviously she isn't going to give up the bird in the hand which is a sure thing or the sexual fling with Ranger either .

Janet has decided that a heroine with no integraty or loyalty is what will keep the readers hooked on this series and keep selling books and she is probabaly right according to the reviews posted here.

Personally I find the whole business with Ranger unpalatable and cannot understand his appeal to so many readers.

This is a man who cannot be bothered to spend time or love on his only daughter or form even a peripheral relationship with her .He sends money and believes that absolves him of all responsibility.. Wow .What a stella guy.
I found his daughters situation heartbreaking. She was so eager for his love that his callous disregard was disgusting to read.It was mental child abuse as far as I am concerned.

This is the guy that in H8 asks for sex as payment for helping Steph out .Then after using her for a one night stand leaves her with egg on her face by tossing her out and telling her to go back to Joe .
He is therefore doubly underhand and unscrupulous to continue to make sexual advances on Stephanie behind Joe's back knowing she is sexually involved with Joe.

The whole series has lost its appeal for me .
I don't care who she has feelings for -you can't help who you love -but you can help your actions and I cannot read a series about a heroine who has no integrity .
Nearly being caught by Joe while rolling around naked in bed and having oral sex with Ranger is nothing more than a 'close call' as far as Stephanie is concerned. Her reaction is cold ,callous and without remose . Her lack of loyalty and her cheating has put me off her and spoiled the series for me.

Whether she marries Joe or not is a moot point now because her cheating has degraded and irretrievably tained the relationship and is making a laughing stock and a fool of the man she claims to love.
There is no going back from the mockery she has made of her relationship.
Twelve Sharpe makes for uncomfotable and unpleasant reading even for a die -hard fan.
[…]
Its not worth buying to read about the same old angst played out in every book and a heroine who's action are increasingly becoming selfish and […] and who is steadily losing her integrity in each book.
My money is better spent on other authors who deliver the feel good factor of earliar books without demolishing well established characters.

Is it funny? Yes.

Does it have a lot of romantic tension? Yes.

Does it have a good villain? Yes.

Is the mystery interesting? Yes.

Are the characters still fun? Yes.

What more do you want out of a summer beach book?

I've heard some reviewers bemoan Ms. Plum's lack of dynamic character development throughout the series. They would like to see Stephanie grow, or change, or mature, or develop, or choose between Ranger and Joe, or become a monk and move to Tibet, or join the Galactic Alliance and fight the Mucus Monsters of Planet Nostril.

I disagree. I think the formula is perfect. It's fun, fast-paced, and always good for some laughs.

You wouldn't ask Walt Disney to make Mickey Mouse more grown-up. Especially since Disney has been dead for several decades.

You shouldn't ask Janet Evanovich to change Stephanie, either. Both Stephanie, and Janet, are perfect the way they are, and I hope they stay that way for many more books.

What an amazing job Ms. Evanovich does this go round. We have mystery, suspense, murder, mayhem, humor, romance and plumminess all in one book. Our heroine is back at it again with and odd stalker and strange situations but for once it really isn't her fault.

Stephanie gets to show her pluck when her friend/mentor/lover Ranger needs her help to find his kidnapped daughter. We get to see Stephanie be the strong one following her instincts while keeping Ranger off of the ledge with will-power alone. She is key to the investigation, bringing all of her skills to bear and as always relying some on her luck.

Ranger loses some of his air of mystery, but we are reminded that there is a man behind the mask and bounty-hunter uniform. This unveiling is going to be very important in upcoming books if Ms. Evanovich plans to resolve the on-going love triangle that has heated up over her last few books. Where it will ultimately end up each individual reader can only guess.

There are humorous moments with many of the recurring supporting characters such as Grandma Mazur, Lula and Sally Sweet to lighten the mood of this rather dark story line. Even Stephanie's arch nemesis Joyce Barnhardt is back creating a little chaos but inadvertently giving a helping hand as well.

Back again is Joe Morelli, Stephanie's on again off again boyfriend tied in with ambiguous comments about cake and toasters. The main task of Joe in this book seems to be in making Stephanie think about their relationship some - she sees his work in a new light, she thinks about their relationship and she gets to see Joe and Ranger finally both publicly post a claim on her affections. We get the chance to peek in on the life of Joe and Stephanie without chaos reigning supreme and designed, I feel, to prepare us for later revelations.

The villain of this piece is frightenly effective and completely insane. He's managed to fly under the radar and done his homework well - he's even kept a visual record of the information that he's found and it doesn't bode well for Stephanie or Ranger.

A willingness to sacrifice all marks the hero of this piece both to the reader and the other characters of book and makes for a moving ending.

Want a resolution to the triangle? You won't find it in this book. What you will find is a book that gives us a deeper view of Stephanie and the two men she now realizes have a hold on her heart.

After reading the other reviews, I wasn't sure if I wanted to read the next book, but it turned out to be one of my favorites. We get to know a little more about Ranger when his daughter is kidnapped, by a Ranger want-a-be. I am a little bothered that he is not more a part of her life, except for financial support, but that is not what these books are about. They are light reading, with alot of laughs and off-the-wall "happenings". I'm sure I'll continue to read as many as she writes.

I love this series! I wait with anticipation for the next book the moment I finish reading the current one however the ending to this one was less than desirable. It's not that I think the triangle is getting old it just fell flat at the end.

People want to say Steph is cheating which hey she might be but this is fiction an escape a drama if you will, and it's exciting. I love Ranger I just cannot help myself. However, I thought more could have happened with her and Ranger or her and Morelli yet nothing. And as for the end to this novel it does not compare to her others. There needed to be a couple more pages of something especially after the BANG! events leading to the end.

However, I will give it three stars because it was not a waste of time and the middle and beginning were filled with fast reading just someone help the end!

I love Stephanie Plum, but the whole Ranger-Joe thing is getting old. It's time for Stephanie to grow up so the series can grow up too. It's getting tired for me. I still liked the book, but I don't think I'll be buying the series hardback anymore.

Chapter 19 had me laughing so hard that I could only read about one word between the tears pouring out of my eyes. Grandma and Lula have a dress rehearsal band practice at Stephanie's parents' house...need I say more?

Once again, the life of bounty hunter Stephanie Plum becomes complicated, both seriously and comicly. This series is very lighthearted, with oddball characters practically rolling off the pages, and the laughs just rolling out of the reader's mouth. The author's comic timing and sense of humorous wordplay are absolutely perfect. There is a plot, of course, but I really don't think that anyone cares about the plot as long as they can read about Stephanie's misadventures and her supporting cast of loonies. I enjoy every one of these books, and they all end too soon for me!

I devour each Stephanie Plum novel and this one was no exception. I agree with other reviewers that there were no LOL moments and it seemed to be formulaic. I was so disappointed in Ranger's portrayal in this book. Where was the man of mystery? The classy, mysterious, elusive man? He was written like his character in the first novel... street. And this copycat Ranger! Puhleese! He studies Ranger w/o Ranger knowing, Ranger admits he's good and he comes off in the end reminding me of Albert Kloughn. BTW, where were Valerie and Albert? The book felt forced to me, not many details, no character growth... Yawn. I'll still be "Team Ranger" and will try to block this book out of my fantasies. LOL

I agree with the other reviews about reading this book in public. Many times I would laugh out loud and people would look at me funny. I love all the characters. I love Lula and Grandma Mazur. Wish Grandma was in it more. I read it too fast and now waiting for Janet Evanovich to finish another book!

I read all of the Stephanie Plum novels in a month and cannot wait book 13 (which I would love to be named Lucky 13)! The Ranger, Stephanie, Morelli trianlge is KILLING me!

The plot line in this book was the best yet. It moved along quickly and I was so enthralled I didn't even feel the need to guess what would happen next. The quirky characters just add more flavor and depth to this already terrific read.

I've read almost all the Plum series and some, as can be expected, are better than others. I didn't like the dual Ranger deal in this one. It just didn't seem plausible to me. I also didn't like him moving in on Stephanie, sleeping in her bed, even! after she told him no. He touches her too much, especially knowing that she's another guy's girl!

Lula is pretty goofy, but I still like her. I hope Melvin Pickle continues as a character in the next book. Oh, and the agent planted in the bonds office was way too predictable.

I cannot get enough of these novels. I collect them. This one was better than usual. If you have never read a Evanovich's "Stephanie Plum" novel this would be a good one to start. Evanovich's books are good reading whether you are young or old, man or woman. Her characters make the story. She has a knack for using them to get you involved in the story. i am always disappointed when one of her books come to an end.

Another light-hearted read from Janet Evanovich. While the plot centers around a kidnapping and some murders, you still get some laugh out loud scenes - what else could you expect from characters like Stephanie, Lula and Grandma Mazur? Loved the continuing triangle with Steph, Joe and Ranger - it keeps things interesting. I really enjoyed how much focus Ranger gets in this book - it was time that we learned more about him.

What I liked most about this book is how Steph has complete faith in Ranger and helps him out without question, even when others are doubting him. Can't wait for book 13!!!

If you want to read a fun book with a heroine who is loving loyal, caring and funny then i'm afraid this book is not for you.

In Twelve Sharpe Stephanie is faithless and disloyal amd manipulative . She continues to cheat on Joe in her persuit of getting the 'Ranger Orgasm'.Her arrogant disregard for Joe's feelings as she allows Ranger to grope and fondle her are turning her character into a […]and a […] in heat.

At this point I have lost all feelings for Steph and hope Joe catches her in bed with Ranger and tosses her out of his life.Its what she deserves and it will finally move this repetative and sleazy triangle into a different direction from where its been stuck book after book.

Stephanie continues to manipulate Joe and their relationship and as I continually wait for her to choose its finally dawned on me that obviously she isn't going to give up the bird in the hand which is a sure thing or the sexual fling with Ranger either .

Janet has decided that a heroine with no integraty or loyalty is what will keep the readers hooked on this series and keep selling books and she is probabaly right according to the reviews posted here.

Personally I find the whole business with Ranger unpalatable and cannot understand his appeal to so many readers.

This is a man who cannot be bothered to spend time or love on his only daughter or form even a peripheral relationship with her .He sends money and believes that absolves him of all responsibility.. Wow .What a stella guy.
I found his daughters situation heartbreaking. She was so eager for his love that his callous disregard was disgusting to read.It was mental child abuse as far as I am concerned.

This is the guy that in H8 asks for sex as payment for helping Steph out .Then after using her for a one night stand leaves her with egg on her face by tossing her out and telling her to go back to Joe .
He is therefore doubly underhand and unscrupulous to continue to make sexual advances on Stephanie behind Joe's back knowing she is sexually involved with Joe.

The whole series has lost its appeal for me .
I don't care who she has feelings for -you can't help who you love -but you can help your actions and I cannot read a series about a heroine who has no integrity .
Nearly being caught by Joe while rolling around naked in bed and having oral sex with Ranger is nothing more than a 'close call' as far as Stephanie is concerned. Her reaction is cold ,callous and without remose . Her lack of loyalty and her cheating has put me off her and spoiled the series for me.

Whether she marries Joe or not is a moot point now because her cheating has degraded and irretrievably tained the relationship and is making a laughing stock and a fool of the man she claims to love.
There is no going back from the mockery she has made of her relationship.
Twelve Sharpe makes for uncomfotable and unpleasant reading even for a die -hard fan.
[…]
Its not worth buying to read about the same old angst played out in every book and a heroine who's action are increasingly becoming selfish and […] and who is steadily losing her integrity in each book.
My money is better spent on other authors who deliver the feel good factor of earliar books without demolishing well established characters.

Is it funny? Yes.

Does it have a lot of romantic tension? Yes.

Does it have a good villain? Yes.

Is the mystery interesting? Yes.

Are the characters still fun? Yes.

What more do you want out of a summer beach book?

I've heard some reviewers bemoan Ms. Plum's lack of dynamic character development throughout the series. They would like to see Stephanie grow, or change, or mature, or develop, or choose between Ranger and Joe, or become a monk and move to Tibet, or join the Galactic Alliance and fight the Mucus Monsters of Planet Nostril.

I disagree. I think the formula is perfect. It's fun, fast-paced, and always good for some laughs.

You wouldn't ask Walt Disney to make Mickey Mouse more grown-up. Especially since Disney has been dead for several decades.

You shouldn't ask Janet Evanovich to change Stephanie, either. Both Stephanie, and Janet, are perfect the way they are, and I hope they stay that way for many more books.

What an amazing job Ms. Evanovich does this go round. We have mystery, suspense, murder, mayhem, humor, romance and plumminess all in one book. Our heroine is back at it again with and odd stalker and strange situations but for once it really isn't her fault.

Stephanie gets to show her pluck when her friend/mentor/lover Ranger needs her help to find his kidnapped daughter. We get to see Stephanie be the strong one following her instincts while keeping Ranger off of the ledge with will-power alone. She is key to the investigation, bringing all of her skills to bear and as always relying some on her luck.

Ranger loses some of his air of mystery, but we are reminded that there is a man behind the mask and bounty-hunter uniform. This unveiling is going to be very important in upcoming books if Ms. Evanovich plans to resolve the on-going love triangle that has heated up over her last few books. Where it will ultimately end up each individual reader can only guess.

There are humorous moments with many of the recurring supporting characters such as Grandma Mazur, Lula and Sally Sweet to lighten the mood of this rather dark story line. Even Stephanie's arch nemesis Joyce Barnhardt is back creating a little chaos but inadvertently giving a helping hand as well.

Back again is Joe Morelli, Stephanie's on again off again boyfriend tied in with ambiguous comments about cake and toasters. The main task of Joe in this book seems to be in making Stephanie think about their relationship some - she sees his work in a new light, she thinks about their relationship and she gets to see Joe and Ranger finally both publicly post a claim on her affections. We get the chance to peek in on the life of Joe and Stephanie without chaos reigning supreme and designed, I feel, to prepare us for later revelations.

The villain of this piece is frightenly effective and completely insane. He's managed to fly under the radar and done his homework well - he's even kept a visual record of the information that he's found and it doesn't bode well for Stephanie or Ranger.

A willingness to sacrifice all marks the hero of this piece both to the reader and the other characters of book and makes for a moving ending.

Want a resolution to the triangle? You won't find it in this book. What you will find is a book that gives us a deeper view of Stephanie and the two men she now realizes have a hold on her heart.

I love this series! I wait with anticipation for the next book the moment I finish reading the current one however the ending to this one was less than desirable. It's not that I think the triangle is getting old it just fell flat at the end.

People want to say Steph is cheating which hey she might be but this is fiction an escape a drama if you will, and it's exciting. I love Ranger I just cannot help myself. However, I thought more could have happened with her and Ranger or her and Morelli yet nothing. And as for the end to this novel it does not compare to her others. There needed to be a couple more pages of something especially after the BANG! events leading to the end.

However, I will give it three stars because it was not a waste of time and the middle and beginning were filled with fast reading just someone help the end!

I love Stephanie Plum, but the whole Ranger-Joe thing is getting old. It's time for Stephanie to grow up so the series can grow up too. It's getting tired for me. I still liked the book, but I don't think I'll be buying the series hardback anymore.

Chapter 19 had me laughing so hard that I could only read about one word between the tears pouring out of my eyes. Grandma and Lula have a dress rehearsal band practice at Stephanie's parents' house...need I say more?

I always vow to wait until the books hit the library but can't help myself - bought it the first day it came out. Sat down and read it cover to cover in one day, what a guilty pleasure! I think this was one of the best and the picture of Lulu and Tank together = priceless! I can see why Stephanie has conflicting feelings for her men; I can't decide who I'm rooting for!

I loved it, it was really entertaining and uplifting.

I laughed so hard tears were coming to my eyes.I was in the

doctor's office and an assistant came to see if I was ok.

I was more than ok, I was delighted with this book. I love

Ranger and Jo, Janet makes them so yummy! I read it in one

day I probably should have restrained myself but why when you

are having fun. I passed the book along to my girls. Can hardly

wait for the next one. I may reread it just for the joy of it.

I love Janet's books. I wait with anticipation for each of the Plum novels. But this trio of Ranger, Stephanie, and Joe is getting ridiculous.

They are supposed to be fun. And they are. But she should make up her mind which guy she wants. It is starting to get stale.

I couldn't wait to read this, the continuing story of Stephanie Plum and her two men, and I wasn't disappointed. I read it in one evening and really wished it was about twice the length it was. It's funny and entertaining. My 2 cents worth on "if they make this into a movie" is that Stephanie Plum, Ranger and Morelli all need to be played by actors who are these characters. Not a famous movie star playing them. We have read all 12 books and are just too familiar with the characters and plots to have someone well known do it. New faces and the bodies to match! Let Janet pick them out!

I was disappointed in this book. I plowed through it in an afternoon. The suspense was there, the laughter was not. I only laughed out loud once. Usually I laugh out loud once per chapter. I have read and reread all of her books, I'm a huge fan. Don't get me wrong, this book was still great, but it could have been better. The Ranger/Morelli triangle is getting very juicy. Grandma Mazur's storyline is beyond repetative and needs a new direction. There was only one FTA aprehension by Steph in this one, that was a disappointment, how is she paying her bills? Joyce finds her way into the book more often in this one, I like her added in for dramatic tension.

Overall a great book, but not the best plum.

I bought this book the day it came out and finished it in just under four hours. I have since read it again. As with all the Plum books, I loved it. It exposes a new side of Ranger as he has a problem that he needs Stephanie's help to solve. Stephanie has plenty of her normal persuits including an a FTA pervert and a proprietor of a sex toy store. Grandma Mazur is up to her usual trouble and Sally Sweet makes an appearance. Lots of laugh out loud moments. The only thing I can say that is critical at all, is that I felt like the ending was slightly abrupt. Over all though, it was one of my favorites and I can't wait for 13!

After a somewhat cliche and dissapointing book 11 (Eleven on Top), I had high hopes for Twelve Sharp. I wasn't dissapointed, and you won't be either. Stephanie is back in business hunting down FTAs and Lula is right there with her. From Lula's outrageous costumed antics to the ever increasing sexual tension with Ranger, this book had everything a Plum fan could want. Janet scaled back on the family issues (Valerie and the Klowns) and focused more on Stephanie, Ranger, and Joe. We learn a lot more backstory. It was a great read. I had it done in a day, sadly. I highly recommend it.

I simply can't get enough of the Stephanie Plum series. I purchased the book a month ago but held of starting to read it...just to avoid finishing it too soon. Well, once I started I couldn't put it down, as always there were several laugh out loud moments! Grandma's jam session at the Plum house comes to mind.

I can hardly wait for the next one!!

Took me about a day and a half to read, you just don't want to put it down. All the usual suspects are present plus a few new ones. Laugh out loud funny. Stephanie is as usual torn between Morelli & Ranger - who isn't? Can't wait for the next one.

Is it just me or is the "should I choose Morelli or Ranger" subplot getting old and tiresome and BORING? Still worth reading but no real surprises or deviations from past books. I didn't read any LOL scenarios and I'm over the love triangle so I rated it at just three stars.

I continue to enjoy this series. I found this book to be just as enjoyable as the first! I'm a little confused by the reviewers who found this book lacking in substance -- uh, it's a Stephanie Plum novel! It's supposed to be lacking in substance! Pure entertainment -- a great summer read.

Why do we buy Evanovich? For the crazy things that go on in Stephanie's life. This book certainly fulfills those expectations. I laughed till I had tears in my eyes. Yes, Stephanie can't decide between those two men and I am not sure I can either; always been a Ranger fan but Morelli is looking better and better. Enjoy a fun read for the beach.

This was another delightful story in the Stephanie Plum series. An easy read, hard to put down as I just love these characters. My family thinks I am crazy when I am reading and laughing out loud. How can you help it? Grandma and Lulu are hysterical. I enjoy reading about Stephanie's escapades with Morelli and Ranger. How is she to ever choose between them? Again we are left wondering who she'll end up with.