No. 11) (Stephanie Plum Novels) - Eleven on Top (Stephanie Plum

Evanovich almost has her touch back. Certainly "One for the Money" is the best of this series by far, and the series has taken a decided downturn, with "Ten" being just awful in that Stephanie turned into a, well, something that the store probably won't allow me to say. I actually disliked her. Poor Ranger and Morelli!

Now Stephanie's back in fine form. Though the romantic subplot is STILL on hold (will things never change? What's the reason for this? Unchanging conditions = boring), hints are dropped that perhaps #12 will concentrate on Ranger and his secrets. Here's hoping. (At this point I'm rooting for Tank, just to get something different.)

We get a solid plot and a DIFFERENT twist on Stephanie's life as a bounty hunter -- hey, she's actually picking up skills! -- as well as new car tricks. I applaud the depiction of Stephanie as improving and her life changing, as I don't like static series. The donut metaphor is inspired! And I love seeing Stephanie, alone of all of Evanovich's heroines over the years, beginning to eat sensibly. (Now someone help that poor dog!)

Unfortunately, the final three pages -- the climax, as there's no denouement AGAIN (hey, how about some emotional reaction at least?) -- seems tacked on. Without it the men would have saved Stephanie's butt AGAIN (though they do it enough to be irritating. Stephanie's the star! She's a kick-a heroine! She should get herself out of trouble!).

Eleven was very enjoyable right up to those final 3 pages. It gives me hope that #12 will finally see Stephanie firmly back on track!

I was expecting ELEVEN ON TOP to be an enjoyable, if not formulaic, read - I was very surprised to be as entertained as I was. This book was exactly what I wanted in every previous Plum novel, but was disappointed to not get.

Stephanie finally decides that being a bounty hunter is not for her - one final roll in garbage while chasing a bad guy puts her over the edge. In a pinch, Lula gets promoted from file clerk extraordinaire to replacement bounty hunter with hilarious results.

In this story we find out what Stephanie is like when she cuts sugar out of her life, we see that no matter what line of work she's in there's always going to be someone out to get her, and we see what must be the first ever quiet dinner at the Plum household.

After reading TEN BIG ONES, I was looking forward to this book because it was the next in the series and once I start a series I don't stop until it's over (I'm no quitter!). However, after reading ELEVEN ON TOP I'm looking forward to the next book because I can't wait to see what happens!

This book has quite a few truly funny parts and a couple are worth an out loud chuckle or two. There are still some small annoyances (how many times can Ranger respond with just "Babe" anyways?!), but the good stuff definitely outweighs the bad.

In this story we also get one of the best summaries of Stephanie's detective work ever - I'm paraphrasing this line from Morelli:

Let me get this straight, you saw two events, made an assumption about their connection (which turned out to be completely wrong), but in the end still managed to catch the bad guy?

Does that sum up this series or what?

Stephanie Plum is a bounty hunter... or at least she used to be. 30 seconds ago, she just quit her job. She's tired of being shot at, stalked, harassed, and having her cars constantly blown up. Maybe her mother and Morelli were right. Perhaps she can have a shot at a normal life if she wasn't a bounty hunter anymore. Unfortunately, she still seems to have an enemy, one who is sending her taunting notes.

As for that, Stephanie starts off with a new job at the button factory... and gets fired after being late. Then the Kan Klean... gets fired... not to mention shot at... AND her car gets blown up. Cluck-in-a-Bucket... the place burned down, so let's forget it. RangeMan... this might work! Ranger ends up offering Stephanie an office job at his security company.

But she manages to get more threats, not to mention a bomb in Morelli's garage. And even worse, Morelli already has an injury after Stephanie's stalker plows him over with an SUV. She discovers that her latest enemy has seemed to return from the dead, and he won't stop until she's dead too.

---

I must say that I was slightly disappointed with the ending. Everything else built up thrill so quickly, but the ending just seemed to ordinary. Not a whole lot happened in my opinion. It wasn't horrible, but it just didn't stand out from the endings of all the other Plum novels.

However, I'm still faithful to the series, and I think have high hopes for "Twelve Sharp". These novels still make me laugh, which is a great sign, and it's hard to put them down. The shame is that I read them up to this point too quickly. I think I should've savored them rather than power through them. At least I will have time to wait for the thirteenth and so on to be released :)

Evanovich brings Stephanie back and leaves some of the more tedious characters in her stable (sister Valerie, Albert Kloughn, Vinnie) in small cameos. Stephanie is acting like more of a grown up by deciding to quit a job that has little future and sketchy money. It's hilarious to see just how far down the ladder she'll go to be employed after her first stab at an office job doesn't work out....she actually goes to work for Cluck in a Bucket, complete with chicken headgear. Finally, a job that can showcase Steph's nose for a mystery rears its head when Ranger offers her a job.

Evanovich recaptures the fun of the play off between Steph/Morelli and Steph/Ranger. She showcases the irony of Lula working as a bounty hunter with Steph as her sidekick. She pinpoints Stephanie's sugar addiction and we get to see what happens to Steph's hormones when the sugar is gone. Great fights between Steph and Morelli's grandmas, some showcasing of Steph's dad (who really has his hands full with the women in his life), some goofy rituals with Stephanie dressing in black to work for Ranger, and a satisfying but surprising villain, who has been around in the background of all these books....and who woulda thunk he was evil?

A mad jumble of fun and loose ends, a great beach book, a fast read. Just what you want from Evanovich! Bravo!

In this eleventh installment of Plum hilarity, Stephanie has declared herself "retired" from the bounty hunter business. She's tired of the FTAs, the bizarre chases, even the car bombings. With the Stephster's sudden departure, former file clerk Lula is given a sudden promotion to take her place. Hence, Steph still finds herself acccompanying the crazy Lula to chase down the bail jumpers; and what else is she going to do anyway, since she can't seem to keep a "normal" job? Normal and Stephanie Plum make strange bedfellows, however, and despite her best efforts she's stalked by what appears to be a severely burned and thought deceased Spiro Stiva---and her cars keep blowing up. Finally Steph is hired by the delectable Ranger...and gets drawn into a mysterious web loosely involving Spiro after all...

Add to this fun little mystery the hilarious antics of Grandma, the impending wedding of Valerie and the Kloughn, a one-legged Morelli, and things REALLY get interesting. Eleven reaches the Top when our Steph swears off sugar, which puts her hormones into overdrive....exhausting Morelli and heating things up with Stephanies new employer....

Laugh out loud fun with the Trenton crew......as usual!!

DYB

Stephanie Plum is tired of being a bounty hunter, so she quits to pursue a safer profession. However, that doesn't stop the bad guys from chasing her and is a job at Cluck-in-a-Bucket really as safe as it first appears?

This is the twelfth Stephanie Plum book (including the novella, "Visions of Sugar Plums") and although enjoyable, is not one of Evanovich's best. In my opinion, it takes too long to get into the story. The first third of the book is basically a series of mishaps as Plum tries a variety of different jobs, all with little success. Once Plum gets a job as an office worker at RangeMan, the company owned by Ranger, however, the story improves dramatically. At that point Evanovich starts concentrating on the mystery elements of the novel (someone from her past is stalking Stephanie and keeps setting bombs around her) and this mystery isn't bad. Nevertheless, as in the last couple of Plum books, the ending is a bit too abrupt for my liking.

Based on this book, I don't think the Plum series has quite run out of steam yet. However, if I were Evanovich, I would be starting to think about finishing off the series before it becomes an embarrassment to both her and her readers.

Stephanie Plum has had it with tussling with the dregs of society, so she quits her job as a bond enforcement agent and tries a succession of other jobs that, of course, become disasters. Eventually, she winds up at Rangeman, Inc. running computer checks for oh-so-sexy bounty hunter Ranger. Meanwhile, Lula tries to take over Stephanie's old job, but always requires Stephanie's help, Morelli winds up with a broken leg, and somebody keeps blowing up Stephanie's cars. It all seems to be tied to four men who have mysteriously disappeared, and another shadowy character who seems to have reappeared. Stephanie manages to stumble onto the truth while flirting with Ranger, getting it on with Morelli, and fielding pre-wedding jitters from her sister Valerie and fiancé Albert Kloughn.

Eleven on Top is another fun romp through the Burg with all our favorite characters and their usual hijinks. There were several laugh-out-loud moments with some mystery thrown in along Stephanie's usual path through harm's way. She probably gets more gunk in her hair in this book than any of the others, too. At this point, it's hard to pinpoint which Plum adventure is my favorite, but this one ranks right up there.

I started to read Stephanie Plum when the first book came out.

It was such a fun and refreshening style and approach and made me fall in love with the book and style. I laughed a lot and pictured each moments as if I was right there. What has happened since then? This is a typical case of an idea that is being stretched and stretched and nothing comes of it. The same punch lines, same jokes and same approach. I finished number 10 and actually enjoyed the speed of it but there were so many gaps and I felt as if the author either had usesd a ghost writer to finish her first draft or she had run out of ideas.

Pages filled with the same stuff. Explosions.. the "in between man" issues and it was so obvious that she was looking for a way to get Stephanie away from Morelli so she could open the idea about Ranger again. And yes it was nice and such but the same old.

I disliked the way she finished the book.. a totally blow and unimaginative end.

Especially now that I read 11 and realize it doesn't pick up right where it ended.

Reading this book I just want to skip through the pages. I appreciate that Janet is trying to give it a different twist but it drives me insane to read about all these silly jobs that Stephanie is trying out only to see how she is messing them up. I rather have her mess up her bounty hunter job but it is what she enjoys doing. What? Why all the sudden the feeling that this sucks, where for 10 books it was what she defended against her families and Joe;s bagging to stop. This doesn't make any sense. I think that Janet has reached the point of running out of good plots a while back and now is stretching the story even thinner then it was already.

I heard she has signed up for 13 books total. I think those are too many since the story is not advancing. Maybe JANET can't decide which way Stephanie will turn when it comes to those two men and she will stop writing the story without telling us which one it would be.

Again.. a great idea and story but it really lost its air a while back. The same jokes and punch lines and right now I am finding myself wnanting to SKIP ahead so I can find the parts that make sense and are fun. I am bummed that she quit her job but more because one more thing that doesn't make sense and I dislike that the depressed tone of voice is just lingering page after page .. it really is a turn off verses turn on, this twist of the story.

WOuld have been a nice turn for the first few pages and then get Stepahnie back in because she is anyhow.

I DO RECOMMEND these books to anyone but if you are new to the series you have to start with number 1 and then read down.

To get the original humor and story and idea of it.

Yes I willl read them all, of course I am hooked but also disappointed and thank god I received this book as a birthday gift.. I would not spend the money on it.

Enjoy Stephanie PLum.. she is great.. but not this one.

It's a good day when the latest Stephanie Plum novel shows up... Eleven On Top by Janet Evanovich. This may be one of my favorites of the series...

Stephanie Plum has decided to quit the bounty hunting business. Her life isn't going anywhere, and she's decided to get a steady job with a regular paycheck. Of course, not having anyone shoot at her or blow up her car would be nice too. But of course, nothing is normal or steady when it comes to Ms. Plum's life. She gets fired on day one from the button factory. She gets fired from the dry cleaning job after a couple of days (and when the matriarch of the owner's family dies when Plum's car blows up). And her job in the fast food business ends after a day when the chicken restaurant she works at burns down after a couple of days. So why all the pyrotechnics? Someone's apparently out to settle an old score, and Stephanie's life seems to be in peril. Threatening notes, exploding car bombs, exploding garages, burning restaurants, and she's not even in the business any more. Add into the mix that she's now working for Ranger at the same time she's trying to nurse Morelli back to health from a broken leg...

As I said above, this may be one of my favorites in the Stephanie Plum series. I enjoyed the interaction between her and Lula as Lula tries to take over her old job (and still get Stephanie to help with all the apprehensions). There's a bit more Ranger time as you learn more about his business, as well as wondering whether Stephanie will succumb to her urges to jump his bones. And her gramma is as zany as ever. Even though you think you know how the story is shaping up, there are still plenty of twists that accelerate at the end, making sure that I stayed up later than I wanted to find out how it all ended.

A good, fun read, and another excellent installment in the series...

Those of you who were disappointed by Eleven On Top's immediate predecessor, "Ten Big Ones", will be happy to know that this book is much, much better. Fans of the series will find it worthwhile: it made me laugh out loud, as usual, and I enjoyed the plot: Stephanie trying to quit Bounty Huntering, as she calls it, and trying to make a respectable life for herself in a variety of humorous professions.

Those were the strong parts of the book-it had a new idea-Stephanie planning a career change-and I especially liked reading about Stephanie on new jobs from Cluck-in-a-Bucket chicken fryer to button factory worker. I won't reveal anything about it, but her run-in with "Mama Macaroni", and its aftermath-was hilarious. Stephanie's Jersey wit was as enjoyable as ever and she was back to her lovable and plucky self. I also liked the Valerie/Kloughn subplot.

However, some of the weak parts of "Ten Big Ones" were repeated in "Eleven on Top" and Ms. Evanovich needs to address them. I still think she's an amazing and rare comedy talent and this is not to diminish her contribution-we're lucky to have a writer who makes us laugh and smile all through her books. I don't like nitpicking as it seems ungrateful. But there were a few things that drove me a bit crazy, so here I go!

For one thing, I am extremely sick of the Stephanie-Ranger-Morelli love triangle. It's getting boring, repetative, and stupid. Ranger keeps calling Stephanie babe, all the time. We get it, he's the dangerous person you're not supposed to marry. He's sexy. It's cool that she had a fling with him but it's over. Ms. Evanovich, if you are reading this, stop the triangle! A great plot twist would be if Morelli and Steph got married and all the capers that would ensue. You have to move the plot along.

Another bone I have to pick, (if the author or publisher or anyone who can tell the author about this is reading this, please pay attention) is the ethnic stereotypes, which your books are chock full of, whether Italians, Middle Easterners, Pakistanis, etc. etc. Can't you have a character who breaks with stereotypes? Yes, I realize you are an equal opportunity stereotype-no one is singled out. But still, not everyone has to constantly "perform" their ethnicity as a running joke.

I get it. Lula is a no-nonsense wise-cracking black woman. How original. Can't she have some opportunity to show her full humanity as more than a two-dimensional cartoon? Send her to school or something, I beg of you!

Another thing is, what was with the ending of the novel? It seemed abrupt, not to mention it left unanswered questions.

Finally, introduce some more characters. Most of them are getting pretty stale. You can combat that by livening up some of them (e.g. Lula!), but bring in some new people. Have Stephanie enter some other high risk job where you can get her into scrapes but she gets to travel internationally or something. I don't think being a bounty hunter is really that exciting. How many books will involve her being stalked by lunatics who have to die at the end? Come on, you can't keep doing that.

So, overall, a definite recommend to fans, I really enjoyed it, but future editions will need some livening up if this series is going to stay fresh.

Stephanie Plum has had it with being a bounty hunter. Since there's got to be a better, less dangerous way to earn a living, she quits. Now the only problem is she has to find a job. But hey, she's been here before. Things don't often go the way Stephanie expects and as the damage to job sites, bombs in cars, and other weirdness mounts, Stephanie decides maybe she'd better get to the bottom of these incidents. Just who left her the note before the first incident? And besides, Lula seems to need Stephanie with her to make any busts so as long as she's still working for Vinnie, Stephanie might as well make it official and get paid for it.

Joe Morelli and Ranger make life even more complicated since Stephanie can't seem to commit to just one. But as usual when things go pear-shaped they go in a big way. Stephanie's mother agrees to not tipple if Stephanie gives up sugar. Stephanie finds life without sugar leaves her with an itch that Joe Morelli can scratch until he's not getting any sleep and is begging her to visit Ranger -- and he's only half joking.

Best one yet.

Stephanie is calling it quits on being a bounty hunter but the bounty hunter life isn't calling it quits on her. This is awesome and fun with all of the cast and crew.

Which team are you? I'm team Ranger. All. The. Way.

To write for television, you have to create a memorable scene and finish it within 90 seconds. That's tough for comedy because you have to end each scene with a laugh. As wonderful a novelist as Janet Evanovich is, there's an even better script writer hidden inside her novels.

In Eleven on Top, Janet Evanovich has created a memorable scene and laugh every page and a half. That's very tough to do, but she's done it!

Although most will not want to put the book down (who wouldn't want to laugh almost nonstop to the end of a book?), you can read this book before going to sleep knowing that you'll reach a natural breaking point every page and a half.

Much of the humor is visual. It's a remarkable strength of the writing in this book that you can so easily see the slapstick. Few writers can capture slapstick in writing. Eleven on Top marks a new high in Ms. Evanovich's talent in this regard.

If you don't know Ms. Evanovich's writing, it's very much on a par with the very best scripts that Lucille Ball used in her shows with Desi.

Oh, yes, there is a plot. But it's there mainly for people who cannot enjoy a book without a plot. Almost any other plot would have done as well.

Stephanie finds that bounty hunting is just too disgusting for her . . . and quits Vinnie. For the first half of the book, she lurches violently from one job-related adventure to another. In between, Lulu persuades Stephanie to "assist" in capturing a particularly recalcitrant scofflaw. In the second half of the book, she finds a job she likes . . . but it has other complications that you'll love reading about. Someone is also stalking Stephanie and threatening her life. Morelli is obsessed with Stephanie's body . . . and Stephanie finds she "likes" the attention. Under duress, Stephanie swears off sugar . . . with sexy consequences. The sexual tension in this book is really hot! In her spare time, Stephanie also plays "maid-of-honor-to-be" for her sister with more humorous consequences.

The story has a better balance between the Ranger and Morelli sections than many of the others in the series. I generally like the books that have lots of Ranger in them better than the ones that are all Morelli or crime fighting. Ranger's mystery is more appealing to me than Morelli's lust.

If you like sexy humor, I thought that Eleven on Top was a new high for Ms. Evanovich as well. The flirtatious comments are wonderful!

Smile while you laugh and laugh through your smiles with Eleven on Top!

Don't miss this book!!! It's the fun read of the summer of 2005.

Kevin's Corner

Sometimes it seems as if a series begins to crash and burn on itself. What used to be funny or at worst mildly amusing becomes less so after a number of novels. Actions of the main character, which used to entertain, now make the reader wonder why in the heck hasn't the character learned something by now. Even an attempt to shake things up a bit comes across as halfhearted and instead turns more into what has been read before in the series. Such was the way it seemed things worked in Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich.

This latest Stephanie Plum novel opens with Stephanie announcing to one and all she is quitting the bail bonds business. After one too many rolls through garbage (see preceding novels) and one too many car fires (see preceding novels for this running gag as well), she has decide she has had enough. No more chasing FTA's and all that. To ease her life dissatisfaction, she will instead pursue new employment and one knows before she starts looking, her search won't go well.

It wouldn't be a Stephanie Plum novel if it did go right so, of course, it doesn't. Each new job seems to end in spectacular public failure and her old friend Lulu constantly shows up seeking her help in capturing this suspect or that. In fact, once she quits, it seems as if Stephanie goes out on more chases than when she was officially working for cousin Vinnie. Of course, the ongoing saga of her Grandma Mazur with her comments and need to view bodies goes on as well as the ongoing saga of Valerie, her kids, her weight and her pending marriage to Kloughn. Also included is her ongoing struggle in regards to Ranger and Morelli and which one she wants more at the moment while thinking about the other one. And if that were not enough, she once again has to deal with another crazed stalker and his desire to see her dead.

While some of the novel goes into the secret sanctum of Ranger's company, that is the only new area readers haven't seen before and the entire read has absolutely zero character development regarding Stephanie. This is the same character as seen in the first novel, loveable and bumbling from crisis to crisis leaving havoc and Morelli and Ranger in her wake. This novel is proof that fiction allows the author to get away with what would never work in real life.

Kevin R. Tipple © 2005

Stephanie Plum, one of the world's worst bounty hunters, has quit her job with her cousin's bail bond agency and decided to make something of her life. Which leads to a string of disastrous jobs--at a button factory, a dry cleaners, and a fried chicken drive-through. Stephanie might not be the world's best bounty hunter, but she manages to leave a string of ruined businesses behind her--especially as a mysterious someone seems obsessed with destroying her, blowing up her cars (again) and her dangerous, and disgusting gifts. Meanwhile, Ranger is pursuing a missing felon and Joe Morelli is looking for a missing businessman--both of whom vanished on the same day.

Stephanie's life is conplicated by her sister's plan to marry. Stephanie is stuck with a dress which makes her look like an eggplant and her prospective brother-in-law is having nightmares of being smothered by a white whale (or possibly Stephanie's no longer swelt sister in her wedding dress). When Stephanie lies (she does this a lot) and claims to play the 'Cello, plans for the wedding take an even more distressing turn.

With Stephanie retired from bounty-hunting, her friend Lulu takes on the role as the world's worst bounty hunter. Lulu's incompetence sets a standard that even Stephanie never approached, letting her first catch get away after he seduced her, then handcuffed her naked to his bed. Even though she had wanted to get away from bounty hunting, Stephanie ends up accompanying her friend on attempted apprehensions.

If all of this makes sense to you, that means that you, like me, are a fan of the Stephanie Plum series. In ELEVEN ON TOP, author Janet Evanovich cranks up both slapstick antics and family pathos to deliver a superior addition to the fine Stephanie Plum collection. It would seem that Stephanie leaving the bounty-hunting business would help her relationship with Joe, but with someone coming after Stephanie, Joe gets caught in the cross-fire. And Stephanie's constant physical attraction toward Ranger doesn't help.

ELEVEN ON TOP is a quick read, with plenty of laughs to keep the reader going. Stephanie Plum is definitely back in prime form.

This is one of my favorite books in the Stephanie Plum series so far. I enjoyed it immensely because a little variety to the usual formula was added into the mix. In Eleven on Top, Stephanie quits her job as a bond enforcement agent and goes to work for the sexy and mysterious Ranger. Despite having a new position, Stephanie still manages to get up to some of her old tricks. She also continues to do some work for her old boss as her buddy Lula has promoted herself from file clerk to bounty hunter, taking over all of Stephanie's old cases. Any fan of this series will enjoy the plot twist in this novel and the usual humor and love triangle one can expect from Ms. Plum's character. I look forward to finding out what Stephanie will do about her 'career path' in the 12th novel.

I thought this installment in Stephanie Plum's adventures was great, although the ending was, once again, not an ending at all - Janet just stops writing and you go "huh? That's it?" So I give it 4 stars for this reason.

Other reviewers have excellently outlined the basics of the book, the cast of characters involved and so forth, so I won't do so.

I was, however, excited to see in #11 that Ranger and his "hardcore" emotional reserve finally seems to be cracking a little where Stephanie is concerned. I think these emotions are somewhat new/uncomfortable for him, so hopefully in #12 we will get to see him deal with these feelings (there could be some great humor in that!), and maybe actually all-out pursue this woman he so obviously cares about. Wouldn't that be hot?

Morelli is as sexy as ever, but still a fairly one-dimensional Burb guy - his reactions are pretty predictable now. To keep his character 'believable' to me, I have to continually remind myself that each of the last several books take place over about a two-week period, so I figure that from #1 to #11, we've only progressed about 6 months in 'Stephanie' time - maybe that's why Joe hasn't blown up (Italian alpha male style) over Stephanie's continual infatuation with Ranger????

As for the central mystery, the antagonist in this book had me pretty baffled until the end!

Stephanie is like family now. Whether good or bad, these books keep us posted on her antics and I wouldn't miss one for the world. One last note - I think the word count should be double what it is. It's a very short read, and I'd like to spend more than one afternoon a year with Stephanie and crew. For the hardcover price, I don't think that this is an odd request.

Stephanie Plum is back!! This time Stephanie has decided that being a bounty hunter is just too life threatening and decides to make a career change. She tries the button factory, the "Cluck-in-a-Bucket" and even a dry-cleaning shop, but things continue to explode.......cars, buildings, even people!! It becomes clear that someone is out to get even with her, the question is who and why??

Stephanie's life heats up on the streets and in the bedroom. She shares her time between Ranger and Morelli, while they both try to keep her alive and in one piece!! Can she take the heat or will things spontaneously combust??? All the favorite burg-dwellers return! Madcap Lula has become a bounty hunter. Zany Grandma Mazur is still cruising funerals, is armed with a .45 and looking for a hottie! The Kloughn wedding is being planned by none other than the bus driving, gun toting, cross dressing Sally Sweet! .....and there is always Bob the dog!!!

This is the 11th in the Stephanie Plum series and it is a lot of fun, laughs and the on-going love of two very hot men!!

Janet Evanovich's blundering bounty hunter, Stephanie Plum, seems to go through as many cars as jobs these days. Sure that it's time to end her career as a bounty hunter, Stephanie quits her Cousin Vinnie's company and applies for a job at the local button factory. Setting a record, the job lasts about a day. Next stop, the Kan Klean dry cleaners. This also turns out to be disastrous when her latest car gets blown up along with the irascible matriarch of the family that owns the business. Next stop, Cluck in a Bucket.

Meanwhile that loveable character Lula has been promoted to bounty hunter, taking over all of Stephanie's open cases. Somehow she manages to draw Stephanie back in as an unpaid assistant and mooches free Cluck in a Bucket to boot. Thanks to Lula, even though she is technically out of the business, bad guys are still chasing Stephanie. She's convinced that a fellow named Sprio is stalking her, but Spiro was supposed to be dead.

Enter Ranger, that sexy Latin bounty hunter to the rescue. He hires Steph, effectively removing her from the stream of goofy jobs she has taken, and sets her up in his apartment in his office building so that he can keep an eye on her. Yeah. Right! That doesn't go down too well with her boyfriend, cop Joe Morelli. If you've read other books in the series, you know there's a rivalry between the two. Ranger is like the dream lover... the one you want but are afraid to get involved with. Morelli floats in and out of her life in previous books. You find yourself rooting for her to finally commit to one or the other.

They lead the reader on a merry chase that includes feisty Grandma Mazur who always wants to get into the act and considers funeral viewings social events. There are surprises and twists in store, but why ruin it for you by revealing what happens. As always, Evanovich crafts an easy read that makes you want to turn the page.

MORGAN ST. JAMES
[...]
A CORPSE IN THE SOUP, a funny romp through the world of TV chefs.
Best Mystery Audio Book 2007 - USA Book news

I was surprised when early in the novel Stephanie decided that a career change was in order. Although her attempts at getting a job are hilarious (she gets hired and fired as quick as lightening) it bothered me that she had actually gotten out of the bounty hunter business. Being a bounty hunter is her identity in this series; it's how I define her. So I gave a sigh of relief when she got hired by Ranger. However, her job description has changed from being in the field to desk duty. Meanwhile, her friend Lula moves up the ranks and acquires Stephanie's old job. But Lula can't seem to catch any crooks and when she calls on Stephanie to lend a hand, Stephanie ends up back in the trenches, hunting down scum bags who jump bail.

Eleven On Top is mostly a fun read, with all the quirky family members adding to the humor. But there are some annoying spots, such as the disrespectful way Stephanie treats Joe and the way she lusts after Ranger. We'll have to wait for book twelve to find out if she's going to put Joe out of his misery so she can get with the guy she really wants--Ranger.

In ELEVEN ON TOP, the irrepressible Stephanie Plum is back and her life is a mess. She feels like a disappointment to her mother because she doesn't have a good job and she's not married yet. She's tired of getting slapped and knocked around by the dead beats that she's trying to apprehend in her job. So, she resigns from the bounty hunter business and pursues other ways of making a living. After some deadly job experiences, she's hired by Ranger to work in his security agency.

Most of the time, Stephanie is with her long-time love, Officer Joe Morelli, but the mysterious Ranger still has her intrigued and she continues her flirtation with him. Her friend, Lula takes over Stephanie's position in bond enforcement, but can't do the job without Stephanie's help.

Stephanie believes that she just wants a normal life, but on top of everything else, a very evil person is trying to kill her.

And I thought the Plum novels had run their course. What a joy it was to pick up this book and roar with loud laughter on the commuter train once again! I couldn't help myself!

Everything we love about Stephanie and the Burg is here in spades...where to begin? Sister Valerie and her swain, "Ooogie Oogums," are nervously preparing for their wedding. Valerie has gained 60 pounds and Alfred Kloughn ("Oogie's" real name) has taken to having violent anxiety attacks about being suffocated by a whale in a wedding dress.

Grandma Mazur is still hankering after the funeral home. Joe Morelli is as gorgeous and sexy as ever, ditto the mysterious luscious Ranger. But Stephanie has changed. Oh, she's still chugging donuts, she's still having car after car blown up. But in this book, she has decided to quit being a bounty hunter! That leaves Lula in charge...shudder! Stephanie feels she needs a safer environment.

But when Steph gets a job at the local cleaners, she is accosted by the very deadly Grandma Macaroni, she of the hideous, mind-boggling mole. I won't even tell you the rest...not even what happened to the mole.

Read it and love it! Welcome back, Stephanie!!

Stephanie Plum has always been unique simply because of her chosen career. She was a bounty hunter for her cousin Vinny's bond business. Stephanie decided to give it up, tired of the threats and the near disasters; chose to walk away handing her job over to her friend Lula. True to form and unable to commit to a career, Stephanie goes through many random jobs, at the button factory, at the dry cleaners, at a fast food place, before landing a job with Ranger. Stephanie is fully aware what Ranger does to her; not to mention her on again off again romance with Joe Morelli. Stephanie is like a best friend or a favorite sister, you want to yell at her and say make a decision between these two men! Her family is extremely dysfunctional in all matters. Nothing is a secret within her family or in Hamilton Township. The mix of older women throughout the story at times can be amusing. Her sister Valerie and Albert Kloughn take off for Disney World rather than enduring a Plum family wedding. We have seen it all before, the car disasters, the donuts, and the almost-comical apprehensions of criminals. You love it for a quick and easy beach read because you'll know exactly what to expect.

I've noticed from reading the reviews for this book that most people either love it (5 stars) or hate it (1-2 stars). I think the die-hard fans don't want to accept the truth that Janet's books are declining in quality, and others just aren't giving the book a chance. It wasn't the best Ms. Evanovich has ever written, but it definitely was not the worst either!

I am definitely a fan of the Stephanie Plum novels, but I do think Ms. Evanovich is slipping. "Eleven" was definitely an improvement from the horrible "Ten", but it still lacks the excitement and hilarity of the first SP novels.

I must be the only person who thinks it's time for Ranger's character to evolve. After eleven books I think we should know even more than what JE is willing to tell us. I like that Stephanie is working for Ranger and I like the tenderness he shows toward her. I agree with others that Morelli was a little weak in this book, but I can still imagine how hot he is (or would be if he were real). I loved Grandma Mazur getting into it with Grandma Bella! That was one of the best parts of the book. I also think that Lula is still one of the best characters. I'd love to see her get with Tank!!

All-in-all, the book was OK. I will always read the Stephanie Plum novels with the hopes that they will recapture the fire they initially had.

Enjoyed this one very much to a point. The twist of the Funeral Director being the main nasty, was great. Loved Grandma as usual and Sally. Stephanie's mother finally losing it was long over due and fun with the food fight. Great to finally read that Stephanie is human and will gain weight like all women over 30 who eat tons of cake and doughnuts.

The triangle between Joe-Stephanie-Ranger is getting way too old. The sexual tension is written well, but boring now. After Ranger telling her that she is "Entertainment" for his company, she is really dense. How many times does she need to be told in so many ways that she is nothing but a nice a place for him to, as Janet phrase is, "he's just not committement material."

As for the bounty hunting job, that is fun to read. But after all this time and Stephanie's developing "gut" feelings, she should be better at what she does. Lula is a stitch and love to read about the two. But here again, it is getting a wee bit tiring that the pair have not progressed one bit in skill after all this time. And why would the Trenton Police department continue to more or less look the other way when Stephanie does some of these awful illegal things? Just because of Joe? I don't think so? After all one can cover up things for so long before the department would start looking at Joe.

And for Stephanie's apartment getting broken into all the time. I find it funny and expectant. But after one is almost killed several times, their survival instinct will kick in. She would wnat to get good security.

I liked Stephanie at RangerMan for employment. Shows really potential for her to grow and develop skills. She could learn more ways to being self sufficent and not to have to get saved by the men all the time.

I continue to buy the following books but will be not when first released.

Janet Evanovich freshens up her Stephanie Plum series by having her heroine quit her bounty hunting job and looking for a new career in all the wrong places. Stephanie tries a number of jobs, but all sorts of disasters happen which keep her employment at each place extremely short. Someone is out to get her and she narrowly misses being killed by exploding cars, gunshots, and all kinds of chaos. Plum's love interests, Ranger and Joe Morelli, are very much in evidence and Stephanie has fun trying to juggle the two men in her life without them knowing what she is doing. Lula, the overweight Spandex Queen takes over Stephanie's job and has some unusual techniques for doing her bounty hunting. Grandma Mazur is still hanging out at the funeral home and is as feisty as ever. In other words, reading this book is like a reunion with old friends, and is just as hilarious as the other books in the series.

Don't get me wrong.. I am a Stephanie Plum Fanatic! She is just the greatest jersey heroin.. and the fact that she just can't get anything rite yet.. always gets her man.. well what can i say it is inspiring.. I was a little dissapointing with the 11th book... I expected a little more depth to the plot.. and the fact taht she wasn't working in the bonds office.. was drab in the book.. I know i shouldnt' be saying this but I am disapointed things didn't get hotter with her and Ranger. I love morelli.. but it is obvious Stephanie has commitment issues.. and from what she always mentioned about her ex.. I would too.. I dont' want her to cheat on Morelli.. i just kinda wish she can have her cake and eat it too.. and i wish the details were steamier.. overall.. I read through it in two days so it was good.. i was just expecting alittle bit more of a web tangle.. more like the first couple of books .. it kinda felt liek I didn't have to finish the book to know who the real guy behind it was.. I need a darker character.. more like Benito Ramirez.. who was genuinely one of the most dark characters in all of these books..

Since I am a true Stephanie Plum fan I only have on problem the books take too long for the next one to come out. I want more. I can read these books in one night and thats just not enough. Its not because the books are that short or anything its because once I get started I just can't stop. I have to know where she is going to get into trouble this time. Some people are saying enough is enough but enough is not enough I need more. Please write me more and soon,.

I think "Eleven on Top" was an especially good Stephanie Plum book. Stephanie decides it's time to quit her job working for her cousin Vinnie's bail bond company. Bringing in criminals on the lam is so much easier for Ranger and Tank, Stephanie and her friend Lula end up tasered and covered in messy garbage as often as they recover a fugitive. Stephanie's lucky, she immediately lands a job at the button factory, which she loses after showing up late on her first day. She also lands job with the drycleaner from hell and Cluck in a Bucket. The fast food uniform, complete with chicken hat, is the least of the drawbacks. Meanwhile, Lula needs help with apprehensions, wedding plans are progressing for Stephanie's sister, and someone is out to kill Stephanie. The adventure, suspense, humor and sexual tension in this installment are even better than the previous ten!

Stephanie Plum is tired of her bounty hunter job. She's had enough of chasing after criminals, being shot at, her apartment always being broken into, and having her car blown up, so she quits her job. She has no problem finding a job, several jobs, in fact, but keeping them is a problem, as she manages to get fired as quickly as she is hired. Finally, Ranger hires her to work for him and she hopes her life will have some stability. But one of her past cases comes back to haunt her. Someone keeps blowing up her cars (again!) and leaving her threatening notes. She's not sure who's doing it, but she thinks it might be linked to some men missing from the `burg. And as if that wasn't enough, she has to get through her sister Val's wedding in a dress that makes her look like an eggplant!

This was a much better book than the last one if the Stephanie Plum series, the disappointing "Ten Big Ones". All the old favorite characters are here: Joe Morelli, Ranger, Grandma Mazur, Lula, and Albert Kloughn. There are many humorous scenes; especially funny is the confrontation between Stephanie's Grandma Mazur and Joe's Grandma (at a wake, naturally!); a scene featuring a missing facial mole; and a scene involving Stephanie, her mother, Grandma Mazur and a wedding cake, which causes Stephanie to give up sugar, causing Joe much suffering. Stephanie's attempts at her various short term jobs are equally hilarious.

What I liked about this book is how the characters have matured. Having Stephanie quit her job as a bounty hunter was a good move, opening up new storylines and forcing Evanovich to write something else besides the somewhat tired routines of Stephanie and Lula trying to catch FTA's. Evanovich does throw in a couple of bounty hunting scenes that easily could have been left out of the book, but perhaps she thought readers would be disappointed if they were to disappear altogether. Stephanie and Joe's relationship is also maturing, which I liked, even if it does lessen the sexual tension between Stephanie and Ranger. There was a real mystery as part of the plot. And, while some might find the blowing up of cars a bit old, I found some of the scenes funny, especially the attempt to blow up the Buick.

One last thought. While it's nice that Evanovich has a contest to let her readers name the next book in the series, I hate the "numbers" theme of these titles. The first three or four titles were somewhat amusing, but using numbers in each title is restricting and the titles have nothing to do with the books, which I find annoying.

Aside from that, I loved this book and highly recommend it.

...and it wasn't just because Stephanie has another string of cars blowing up, or that a Cluck-in-the-Bucket, a woman with a bad temper and wicked mole, or Morelli's garage blew up as well. No, Eleven on Top blew me away because it's just that good! I laughed...then laughed harder as Stephanie quits her job as a bounty hunter and looks for something safer. It just seems that safe and Stephanie don't go together so well. She's not sure why someone seems intent on blowing her up, not sure about much...except she's going to figure it out.

Add to all the blowing up, Stephanie's sister's impending marriage, her mother's new attraction to alcohol, her tug-of-war attraction to both Morelli and Ranger, her job working for Ranger, and her new hobby as sidekick to Lula's bounty hunter...well, you won't be able to put the book down and you definitely won't be able to stop laughing!

If you don't like slapstick type of humor, these books are not for you! The first of these books I read, "Seven Up", I wasn't sure I liked but then I read "Hard Eight" and "To the Nines" and soon I got the humor and they kept me laughing.

This Stephanie Plum story starts with Stephanie having quit her job as a bondsman 30 seconds before the opening of the story. Lula and Connie in her office are shocked and Vinnie, her cousin and boss, is outraged. Stephanie has decided she is tired of her cars being blown up, members of her family being hurt or in danger, and being in danger herself physically. She has heard there are job openings at the button factory in town and decides to apply there. She is hired as a receptionist to replace the one that just left and is suing for sexual harassment. Stephanie "celebrates" her new job with on-again-off-again boyfriend, Joseph Morelli, and is 90 minutes late for her first day on the job! She refuses to do any sexual favors for the boss to make up for her lateness and is fired.

In the meantime, she is receiving threatening notes from an unknown stalker in her apartment and in her car. Her car is set on fire, she is shot at, her grandmother and Morelli's grandmother get into a fight at a funeral home and so on!!

Lots of menace and mayhem ensue, Stephanie works hard with Ranger's and Morelli's help to investigate and find her stalker and who it is turns out a big surprise.

Romance, sexual tension, suspense and lots of laughs make a fun read!

We hate to say it, as some of the other ten were definitely amusing, but there's not much smile factor left in Plum et al that we haven't heard or seen before. While there is a smidge of a plot (four small business owners are missing, and Steph keeps getting threatening notes and cars bombed), one can almost predict the rest: Lulu can't get her bond jumpers, so eats fast food; Steph shacks up with Morelli (again) but hankers after Ranger all book; Grandma Mazur and the rest of the clan have a wedding cake food fight; Steph's several cars burn up or blow up; Bob the Dog tinkles on the lawn (wow!), etc.

"Eleven" smacks of one of those books any of us could have written -- just take snippets out of each of the other ten, slap 'em together in almost random order and you wouldn't be far off. One rather poignant scene, almost depressing actually, saw Stephanie spending a (rare) quiet moment thinking (rare!) how useless her life has been -- she realizes she's not good at anything, has no hobbies or interests, and has no idea what to do with her love life or her future. She fantasizes she can play the cello, then actually tells her family she can (despite being unable to even recognize one!), which leads to what little fresh hilarity the book has on display.

Maybe Evanovich has just run out of steam with this set. Maybe that explains the attempt to diversify manifested in the largely ho-hum "Metro Girl". Maybe the old joke about 1000 monkeys with typewriters could do just as well is right on. Maybe we're just "Plum" full of this series. Sorry, but from our reading we just didn't get that much entertainment, let alone go out "On Top"!

I've read them all!!! And was just treading water until this book!!! It has it all. Just like Steph's sugar habit, I need to have large doses of Ranger and Morelli and this one has them!!!

I am a little tired of all the car explosions but this was a nice, fast read.... and the mystery wasnt bad either!!!! Gads, what will Grandma Mazur do now for fun???? (not a spoiler). The succession of Stephanie's employment opportunities is a howl!!! Reminds me of my teenage years! :D

All the characters we know and love are here. I will even put up with wacky Valerie and her bunch. This was a delightful romp and I finished it in one day. After being disappointed with JE's collaboration books with C Hughes, this renewed my faith. I never read any more of those anyway. Hopefully, the next Stephanie Plum adventure is as amusing as this one.

I really enjoy Evanovich's writing style. I enjoyed each of the Stephanie Plum books. The tongue-in-cheek humor makes these books stand out. Although I recognize and even appreciate that some of the characters in these books are a bit over the top I found this particular book to be just a little bit TOO far-fetched, however. One day Stephanie throws caution to the wind and jumps right into a car that she suspects may be carrying a bomb yet the next day she has a healthy fear and allows caution to win out. As a NJ native, I can say that not even on the "mean streets" of Trenton are car bombings and sniping regular, daily events. Putting aside this small flaw, I found the book to be entertaining and I was not disappointed. I do hope some of the events in future books will not be quite so absurd though. I recommend this book to everyone.

I originally got the first four books as part of a set, and I was hooked ever since then! I love these books! I've actually met Janet Evanovich as well, when she did a book signing in Edinburgh, I got my book signed & got my photo taken!

But I am feeling the books are getting a little bit repetitive now. I have a feeling Janet doesn't have a clue how to end it. She's going around in circles, although I can't wait to get book number 12. Also, there's a hint right at the start of the book, and other reviewers have mentioned it, that she's using a co-writer. No! She's written books with another author too - Charlotte somebody - and although I own some of them, I don't like them as much as I like the Stephanie Plum franchise.

This book has romance, tension, mystery (it won't be who you think it is by the way!), humour, a hilarious wedding, a drunk mother, the list goes on. Janet Evanovich is one of my favourite authors, and I will never stop loving her books, but she better have bucked up her ideas for the next book(s)!

It's not often that I read a book and feel completely satisfied when I reach the last page. This was one of those rare treats, not only full of giggles and guffaws, but the breathless joy of seeing things develop a step further between Ranger and Stephanie. Great moments include Ranger's line, "I wish this was as bad as it looks," him saying "You're a fun date" (I won't say what Stephanie did to earn that accolade), and seeing Tank torn between trying to decide who is more dangerous -- Ranger or Stephanie. LOL. Really, the more you see that pair together, the better matched they appear! The ending is equally clever - siumultaneously satisfying and leaving you dying to see what will happen next in the Ranger/Stephanie relationship. I can hardly wait for the next in the series!

The plot has been pretty well described by other reviewers and true, the ending is kindof preposterous but! everyone is here! And each one is funnier than the one before. Grandma Mazur (when she gets behind the wheel of Joe's car, I was laughing out loud.) Lulu trying her best to replace Stephanie as a bounty hunter but not doing very well. Valerie who provides a big surprise on her wedding day. Her fiance, Albert who seems to be fitting into the family very well - but not the way Stephanie's mom had hoped. And my favorite, Stephanie's mom who tries to relieve her stress by ironing - constantly. And when that doesn't work, she tries something else.

And then there's Ranger who only has to say one word and causes a reaction to everyone who reads the book.

Morelli was a little boring in this book but he was recovering from a broken leg(see above: Grandma Mazur).

One last thing, The Cluck - in- a Bucket fiasco is unbelievably funny.

Yes, everything the critics say is true. But I found the book entertaining anyway, and it was absorbing enough to keep me reading long after I should have turned out the light and gone to sleep.

There's not much of a mystery -- Steph is being stalked and she thinks she knows who it is, although she was accumulated quite a few enemies so who knows. Whoever is stalking her is playing with her. Being Stephanie, any car she gets near is in danger (how can she get insurance?). Steph has quit her job as a bounty hunter and goes through a series of disasterous jobs before accepting an offer to work in Ranger's office.

All of the criticisms are true -- it is formulaic -- sex, food, exploding cars, ditzy bounty hunter, crazy relatives, etc. But -- the series is still funny enough to keep me running out to read the latest Stephanie Plum mystery as soon as its available.

I think there's only so far you can go in a series before the main character seems to be on a treadmill. I think it's time that Steph made up her mind whether it is going to be Ranger or Morelli. Maybe twelve will be the book that finishes this series and ends with her committing to Morelli. Lulu could have a series of her own, I think.

I've been reading Stephanie Plum for years now and I always enjoy the read. I have long since passed from "hard back" buyer to paperbacks so I'm always a year behind. Quite frankly, as much as I enjoy the books they are good summer mind candy and do not rate a hardback investment since I can't imagine reading them more than once!

That said this is a good book for the series. I enjoyed that Stephanie took a break from her bounty hunter gig in favor of a day job and wish that trend would continue in the next books but fear I will be disappointed. The ne're do well bounty hunter story line grows old, as does the relationships she enjoys with both Joe and Ranger. I think that Ms. E would be well advised to have Steph make a choice and find a new story line for tension and comic relief. The characters in supporting roles remain fun though we are in need of some new oddballs to freshen the series.

All in all, this is a fun read. Not deep, not great lit, but in this case you get what you bargained for.

I can't believe that there are 11 books out already, I hope Janet isn't getting tired of crafting Stephanie stories because I love them and can't wait for the next installment.

Eleven was very entertaining, and the heat continues between Steph/Joe and Steph/Ranger. Janet does a great job of keeping it steamy but not explict. Personally, I don't want any resolution to Steph's predicament since I love both Ranger and Joe and would hate to see one "lose"!

I was grateful that the climatic showdown of the book didn't follow a cliche and take place at Valerie's wedding.

Eleven kept me guessing until the end, and I love the surprise villian, but have to wonder how it will impact the Burg life going forward. Bring on Twelve!

Stephanie finally is getting comfortable in her own skin. In this episode, she decides that being a bail bondsman is not really "her." She's smart enough to know, however, that she doesn't know what is really "her." By the end of the book, she realizes that the problem is her zany life, and that she was actually pretty good at her job. It's about time. There are plenty of jokes, some of them the standard blown up cars, Grandma Mazur with a gun, etc., but the joke is no longer Stephanie. On a number of occasions she takes independent action, trumping the police, basically solving the murder, and dispensing a moderate amount of violence where appropriate. Good for her. The series had grown a little tired. Good to see that it's gotten a second wind.

While still entertaining, this book really has nothing to offer. Sure you can finish this in one day, becuase there is no real storyline, no plot, and no depth to any of the characters. You can skim through much of it and not miss a moment of the "action." I think Evanovich is just riding the success of the previous books and not bothering to put anything new, original or interesting into this story. The characters have become so unbelievable... Stephanie was once cute and endearing, but now is just an idiot. The plots are too unrealistic, even for a bumbling "bounty hunter." This series has more than run its course. There is no attempt to develop any storyline and venture out of the comfort zone that was created many books ago.

Glad I got this one from the library, it wouldn't be worth the money. Maybe the next installment will move things along and develop a storyline?

Just finished reading this novel this morning and I think it is probably the weakest one of the lot. Like a lot of reviewers, I didn't find this one anywhere near as gripping or well-developed plotwise as a number of the earlier ones in the Stephanie Plum series. As well, the supposed sexual tension- love triangle between Stephanie, Joe and Ranger is approaching its use-by date. It is definitely becoming boring and I think Ms Evanovich needs to resolve Stephanie's romantic situation once and for all. I still enjoy characters like Lula and Grandma Mazur but a lot of the situations Stephanie found herself in fell flat with me. There are only so many times she can have her car blown up, handbag destroyed, apartment broken into, etc, before it becomes tiresome and repetitive. I still think there is a spark of life in the Stephanie Plum series, but I hope the next novel is a better effort and not so much by-the-numbers as this one.

I read this one pretty quickly. It was good, although I have to say that the Lula jokes and Grandma Mazur jokes, though they were always my favorite, are getting just a bit old. That makes me a bit sad.

In this book Stephanie is only vaguely trying to track down some missing bad guys. Mostly it's about her quitting her bounty hunter job and pursuing other careers (and, of course, hilarity ensues). Eventually she ends up working for Ranger the hot bounty hunter (in what, I must say, seems like a dream job, and not just because of Ranger's presence).

Morelli, Lula, Grandma Mazur, and the rest of Stephanie's nutty family also play major roles in this book but overall the book struck me as formulaic. Too bad.

When I'm really down and want a pick-me-up and a funny read these Stephanie Plum books are the cure. I read her books a year later than alot of people,but that's alright I enjoy re- reading all of these books quite frequently. Stephanie needs a change in her life so she quits her Bonding Job and looks for a new job. Valerie,her sister is getting married, Joe Morrelli ends up breaking his leg and we finally get to know more about Ranger. I highly recommend this series if you need a real pick-me-up and just feeling lousy and after reading about Steph,and her blown up cars, lousy love life and all around chaos with her family you'll find out how great your family is after all. Can't wait to read Twelve Sharpe.

I've read over many of the negative reviews here and don't understand where they are coming from. Many want resolution for the story to progress. What resolution? This is not a romance series, it is an ongoing series about the antics of Stephanie Plum and her latest mystery. Stephanie has grown (a valid former complaint) as a character. She is definitely getting tougher on her FTA's and her involvement with Joe and Ranger has more depth. In this story, Ranger does show more emotion with his regard to Stephanie, but it is subtle. And Stephanie's relationship with Joe is making it very hard for me to root for the Ranger/Stephanie relationship. Ms. Evanovich really knows how to write sexual tension. Usually I would rank a book lower if there wasn't real sex, but this proves to me what a master Ms. Evanovich is at writing sexual tension as my own imagination fills in the blanks. My only real complaint? Write faster!

I adore Janet Evanovich! Her books get better all the time."Eleven on Top" was absolutely hysterical. I laughed and laughed and then laughed some more. Lula tries to be a bounty hunter and Grandma Mazur gets into a fist fight with Morelli's Grandma Bella. And those are just two of the highlights from this novel.

I know a few readers said they found this novel to be "over the top" and I say so what if it is? I didn't find it to be, but this is a fun series with a little over-the-top action now and again. It is terrific fun to read the books in this series and they read SO quickly. If you are looking for something totally engaging and very funny, check out the Stephanie Plum series.

the balance between humour and seriousness is perfect but the balance between developments in the mystery and repetitive banal everyday stuff (walking the dog, changing clothes, getting food, acquiring transport) isn't. i mean in the first quarter of the book we understand that someone is trying to kill Stephanie, or at least make her fear for her life, and by the end of the third quarter we're still no closer to the culprit being caught. shouldn't some progress have been made? isn't that what a plot's about? it meanders with repeats of the same bombing scenarios, falls to the background, and then is all wrapped up with a scooby doo ending.

October 25, 2005

Description: A typical Stephanie Plum novel

Pros: Very funny

Cons: More atmosphere and humor than mystery

The usual cast of characters turns up in this, the latest Evanovich best-seller: New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum; her wacko grandmother; her cooking, feeding and nagging mother; her stodgy father; her fat sister; and the niece who thinks she's a horse.

Plum is still wrecking cars, eating junk food, tossing the odd green bean to Rex, her hamster; and hanging out with Lula, the ex `ho. She's also still flirting with the idea of being in love with cop Morelli (in this book, they're more together than not), and lusting after fellow bounty hunter Ranger, who rounds up only the most dangerous criminals.

Evanovich fans count on the familiar, but they also expect a mystery and to be amused, both of which call for a certain amount of suspense and surprise. Since Plum resigns her bounty hunter job on page two, and Lula takes over Plum's job, the reader can enjoy Plum helping Lula arrest low-life creeps while she simultaneously tries out lots of other careers. Each new occupation leads to hilarious disasters, and I laughed out loud all the way through the book. The solution to the major mystery is a surprise, but not terribly important in the overall plot.

Recommendation: Buy

Stephanie is being harassed by an old enemy suspected to be dead. Four local businessmen disappear. No one can connect them. Why did they all suddenly disappear? Can it possibly be tied to the series of accidents Stephanie manages to bypass? New funny characters and strange accidents continue. It's another hit story from Janet Evanovich.

Ok, I'm another one who went out and bought the book as soon as it came back. I am a total Stephanie addict. I just finished it this morning and I really enjoyed it.

Stephanie has quit the bounty hunting business and taken a job with the hunky Ranger. She still manages to blow up a car or two, have a few capers with Lula and squeeze in hot sex with Joe. Wish my life were so exciting.

Ok, my personal plea to Janet, I think Stephanie and Joe are a good combo but I find myself rooting for Ranger to sneak in and sweep Stephanie off her feet. I like the tension between them but I think those 2 trying to have a relationship would be even more entertaining.

Only problem with finishing this book, have to wait until next year for number 12.

I have not been unhappy with any of her series of books of the Stephanie Plum novels but I liked this one quite a bit more than the last several. Except for the storyline of her sister getting ready for her wedding to that doofus lawyer. Lula, her sidekick is a hoot and I can see a bit of myself in "Calamity Jane" Stephanie. I am reading these in order and I hope they stay readable. I also am fond of Sue Grafton, Tess Gerritsen and Adriani Trigiani. The later, though is not mystery. The Shoemaker's wife by Trigiani is epic.

Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum has had enough. After ten solid books' worth of being threatened, roughed up, shot at, fire-bombed, et al, she decides it is time for a career change. But Stephanie soon learns it's not so easy out in the job market, either, what with the harrassment at the button factory and the mean lady who runs the dry cleaners (and don't even ask about the chicken place). She also finds she can't leave her past behind -- between Lula dragging her to chase fugitives off the clock and an old enemy who can't seem to stay dead, Stephanie finds the quiet life ain't so quiet. Add some exploding cars, entanglements with both Morelli and Ranger, and wedding preparations that just get out of hand, and Stephanie Plum starts to miss the good ol' days when she was just a bounty hunter ...

Well, Here's the thing, I agree and disagree with some of the other reviews. I agree that the book is funny and typical Stephanie Plum, but like others said, it's not as good as the previous books. I disagree with the reviewer that thinks this is the best and that Janet was in a slump before this book. I agree that no new elements are added, except that Stephanie doesn't want to be a bounty hunter. It's sure funny she still has her nose involved in everything and every job gets ruined because of her fiascos. It's almost like Janet wanted to change the feel by having Stephanie quit, except she really doesn't seem too in a way. Sure alot of the things are funny, but pretty much the same stuff that happens in every book. It would be nice to have some really big differences than in the previous books, but then it might change Stephanie's character too much. Maybe we just need her to get married and start a new chapter and give us a spin off so we can still keep tabs on the gang. Like maybe something with Lula primarily. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan, but I need something alittle different. I also disagree that One For The Money was the best in the series and nine the worst. Thats about it, I like it alot, but need alittle change of pace I guess. After several books with the same things happening all of the time, I get alittle bored and just not as amused as in the past. It can only be funny and shocking for so long.

I was getting a little bored with Stephanie Plum and the destruction that she causes, but this book returned my faith in this funny, rollicking series. In the book, Stephanie is having a career crisis. She's tired of being a bounty hunter and attracting all kinds of crazies to her world. But, guess what? Even though she thinks she's quit her job, she's still got crazies going after her. And she's still got to decide between the two "hot" men in her life. I don't know about Stpehanie, but I'm all for the black-clad Ranger. These books are some of the funniest you'll find out there, and this one caused me to laugh out loud numerous times. I highly recommend this series for good laughs (and there's always a mystery thrown in).

'Eleven on Top' is practically a pastiche of all the other Stephanie Plum novels. She still wrecks cars every thirty pages, is being drooled over by a couple of hunks, her family is still wacko, yet she manages to solve a major crime in the end. Thankfully the characterizations are deliciously fun, the dialog and humor most enjoyable, and overall this is a perfect example of 'chick lit' that even a guy could like. But honestly, I think this will be my last Stephanie Plum book. 'Eleven on Top' is like 300 pages of deja vu.

Bottom line: zero points on originality, high marks on enjoyability.

And I'd like to tell everyone about Stephanie Plum. We get to know her in One for the Money. She has trouble finding a job so she cons her cousin Vinnie into letting her work as a bondsman. She has no idea of how to do her job ...she's scared of guns...and she's lucky that Morelli and Ranger are there to save her butt when it needs saving. Her character is pluckie, resourceful and charming... When you are introduced to her Jersey nieghborhood you want to move in , just to be around the characters.. then you think ...no ...a little too dangerous ...but exciting...and so you keep reading. The characters are not only alive..but lively. You find yourself going to wakes with Gramma Mazur ...and thinking that Estelle Getty would be perfect in the roll...and Sondra Bullock would make a wonderful Stephanie...and the Rock could be Ranger...and Danny DeVito would make a great cousin Vinnie (or Joe Peshi) and Whoopie Goldberg could be Lula on and on. I love the perdictableness mixed with the question "How does her car blow up this time? And the other question is Who Gets the Girl..will it be Morelli or the mysterious Ranger? The bad guys really are bad and in some cases sadistic and really awful things happen ...but these books are wonderful. Janet has a new one coming out in June..I can't wait for this one either..These books are exciting,dramatic,sexy,mysterious,and down right fun.

The Stephanie Plum series is a well written set of novels that keep you intrigued while reading.

Eleven on Top is filled with problems: Stephanie needs a new job, Stephanie quits eating sugar, Stephanie works a little too close to Ranger, Terrifying notes and explosions, and four missing men who are all around the same age.

I feel like in book ten Janet Evanovich didn't write to her full potential, but if you did not like ten and are wondering if eleven's any different: I would say it is different and very possibly one of the best yet... You will like this book if you have been missing Grandma Mazur, if you love drooling over Ranger, if you are tired of the Kloughn wedding and if you think Stephanie should explore new jobs.

Read Eleven on Top!

I read this one pretty quickly. It was good, although I have to say that the Lula jokes and Grandma Mazur jokes, though they were always my favorite, are getting just a bit old. That makes me a bit sad.

In this book Stephanie is only vaguely trying to track down some missing bad guys. Mostly it's about her quitting her bounty hunter job and pursuing other careers (and, of course, hilarity ensues). Eventually she ends up working for Ranger the hot bounty hunter (in what, I must say, seems like a dream job, and not just because of Ranger's presence).

Morelli, Lula, Grandma Mazur, and the rest of Stephanie's nutty family also play major roles in this book but overall the book struck me as formulaic. Too bad.

When I'm really down and want a pick-me-up and a funny read these Stephanie Plum books are the cure. I read her books a year later than alot of people,but that's alright I enjoy re- reading all of these books quite frequently. Stephanie needs a change in her life so she quits her Bonding Job and looks for a new job. Valerie,her sister is getting married, Joe Morrelli ends up breaking his leg and we finally get to know more about Ranger. I highly recommend this series if you need a real pick-me-up and just feeling lousy and after reading about Steph,and her blown up cars, lousy love life and all around chaos with her family you'll find out how great your family is after all. Can't wait to read Twelve Sharpe.

I've read over many of the negative reviews here and don't understand where they are coming from. Many want resolution for the story to progress. What resolution? This is not a romance series, it is an ongoing series about the antics of Stephanie Plum and her latest mystery. Stephanie has grown (a valid former complaint) as a character. She is definitely getting tougher on her FTA's and her involvement with Joe and Ranger has more depth. In this story, Ranger does show more emotion with his regard to Stephanie, but it is subtle. And Stephanie's relationship with Joe is making it very hard for me to root for the Ranger/Stephanie relationship. Ms. Evanovich really knows how to write sexual tension. Usually I would rank a book lower if there wasn't real sex, but this proves to me what a master Ms. Evanovich is at writing sexual tension as my own imagination fills in the blanks. My only real complaint? Write faster!

I adore Janet Evanovich! Her books get better all the time."Eleven on Top" was absolutely hysterical. I laughed and laughed and then laughed some more. Lula tries to be a bounty hunter and Grandma Mazur gets into a fist fight with Morelli's Grandma Bella. And those are just two of the highlights from this novel.

I know a few readers said they found this novel to be "over the top" and I say so what if it is? I didn't find it to be, but this is a fun series with a little over-the-top action now and again. It is terrific fun to read the books in this series and they read SO quickly. If you are looking for something totally engaging and very funny, check out the Stephanie Plum series.

the balance between humour and seriousness is perfect but the balance between developments in the mystery and repetitive banal everyday stuff (walking the dog, changing clothes, getting food, acquiring transport) isn't. i mean in the first quarter of the book we understand that someone is trying to kill Stephanie, or at least make her fear for her life, and by the end of the third quarter we're still no closer to the culprit being caught. shouldn't some progress have been made? isn't that what a plot's about? it meanders with repeats of the same bombing scenarios, falls to the background, and then is all wrapped up with a scooby doo ending.

October 25, 2005

Description: A typical Stephanie Plum novel

Pros: Very funny

Cons: More atmosphere and humor than mystery

The usual cast of characters turns up in this, the latest Evanovich best-seller: New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum; her wacko grandmother; her cooking, feeding and nagging mother; her stodgy father; her fat sister; and the niece who thinks she's a horse.

Plum is still wrecking cars, eating junk food, tossing the odd green bean to Rex, her hamster; and hanging out with Lula, the ex `ho. She's also still flirting with the idea of being in love with cop Morelli (in this book, they're more together than not), and lusting after fellow bounty hunter Ranger, who rounds up only the most dangerous criminals.

Evanovich fans count on the familiar, but they also expect a mystery and to be amused, both of which call for a certain amount of suspense and surprise. Since Plum resigns her bounty hunter job on page two, and Lula takes over Plum's job, the reader can enjoy Plum helping Lula arrest low-life creeps while she simultaneously tries out lots of other careers. Each new occupation leads to hilarious disasters, and I laughed out loud all the way through the book. The solution to the major mystery is a surprise, but not terribly important in the overall plot.

Recommendation: Buy

Stephanie is being harassed by an old enemy suspected to be dead. Four local businessmen disappear. No one can connect them. Why did they all suddenly disappear? Can it possibly be tied to the series of accidents Stephanie manages to bypass? New funny characters and strange accidents continue. It's another hit story from Janet Evanovich.

Ok, I'm another one who went out and bought the book as soon as it came back. I am a total Stephanie addict. I just finished it this morning and I really enjoyed it.

Stephanie has quit the bounty hunting business and taken a job with the hunky Ranger. She still manages to blow up a car or two, have a few capers with Lula and squeeze in hot sex with Joe. Wish my life were so exciting.

Ok, my personal plea to Janet, I think Stephanie and Joe are a good combo but I find myself rooting for Ranger to sneak in and sweep Stephanie off her feet. I like the tension between them but I think those 2 trying to have a relationship would be even more entertaining.

Only problem with finishing this book, have to wait until next year for number 12.

I have not been unhappy with any of her series of books of the Stephanie Plum novels but I liked this one quite a bit more than the last several. Except for the storyline of her sister getting ready for her wedding to that doofus lawyer. Lula, her sidekick is a hoot and I can see a bit of myself in "Calamity Jane" Stephanie. I am reading these in order and I hope they stay readable. I also am fond of Sue Grafton, Tess Gerritsen and Adriani Trigiani. The later, though is not mystery. The Shoemaker's wife by Trigiani is epic.

Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum has had enough. After ten solid books' worth of being threatened, roughed up, shot at, fire-bombed, et al, she decides it is time for a career change. But Stephanie soon learns it's not so easy out in the job market, either, what with the harrassment at the button factory and the mean lady who runs the dry cleaners (and don't even ask about the chicken place). She also finds she can't leave her past behind -- between Lula dragging her to chase fugitives off the clock and an old enemy who can't seem to stay dead, Stephanie finds the quiet life ain't so quiet. Add some exploding cars, entanglements with both Morelli and Ranger, and wedding preparations that just get out of hand, and Stephanie Plum starts to miss the good ol' days when she was just a bounty hunter ...

Well, Here's the thing, I agree and disagree with some of the other reviews. I agree that the book is funny and typical Stephanie Plum, but like others said, it's not as good as the previous books. I disagree with the reviewer that thinks this is the best and that Janet was in a slump before this book. I agree that no new elements are added, except that Stephanie doesn't want to be a bounty hunter. It's sure funny she still has her nose involved in everything and every job gets ruined because of her fiascos. It's almost like Janet wanted to change the feel by having Stephanie quit, except she really doesn't seem too in a way. Sure alot of the things are funny, but pretty much the same stuff that happens in every book. It would be nice to have some really big differences than in the previous books, but then it might change Stephanie's character too much. Maybe we just need her to get married and start a new chapter and give us a spin off so we can still keep tabs on the gang. Like maybe something with Lula primarily. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan, but I need something alittle different. I also disagree that One For The Money was the best in the series and nine the worst. Thats about it, I like it alot, but need alittle change of pace I guess. After several books with the same things happening all of the time, I get alittle bored and just not as amused as in the past. It can only be funny and shocking for so long.

I was getting a little bored with Stephanie Plum and the destruction that she causes, but this book returned my faith in this funny, rollicking series. In the book, Stephanie is having a career crisis. She's tired of being a bounty hunter and attracting all kinds of crazies to her world. But, guess what? Even though she thinks she's quit her job, she's still got crazies going after her. And she's still got to decide between the two "hot" men in her life. I don't know about Stpehanie, but I'm all for the black-clad Ranger. These books are some of the funniest you'll find out there, and this one caused me to laugh out loud numerous times. I highly recommend this series for good laughs (and there's always a mystery thrown in).

'Eleven on Top' is practically a pastiche of all the other Stephanie Plum novels. She still wrecks cars every thirty pages, is being drooled over by a couple of hunks, her family is still wacko, yet she manages to solve a major crime in the end. Thankfully the characterizations are deliciously fun, the dialog and humor most enjoyable, and overall this is a perfect example of 'chick lit' that even a guy could like. But honestly, I think this will be my last Stephanie Plum book. 'Eleven on Top' is like 300 pages of deja vu.

Bottom line: zero points on originality, high marks on enjoyability.

And I'd like to tell everyone about Stephanie Plum. We get to know her in One for the Money. She has trouble finding a job so she cons her cousin Vinnie into letting her work as a bondsman. She has no idea of how to do her job ...she's scared of guns...and she's lucky that Morelli and Ranger are there to save her butt when it needs saving. Her character is pluckie, resourceful and charming... When you are introduced to her Jersey nieghborhood you want to move in , just to be around the characters.. then you think ...no ...a little too dangerous ...but exciting...and so you keep reading. The characters are not only alive..but lively. You find yourself going to wakes with Gramma Mazur ...and thinking that Estelle Getty would be perfect in the roll...and Sondra Bullock would make a wonderful Stephanie...and the Rock could be Ranger...and Danny DeVito would make a great cousin Vinnie (or Joe Peshi) and Whoopie Goldberg could be Lula on and on. I love the perdictableness mixed with the question "How does her car blow up this time? And the other question is Who Gets the Girl..will it be Morelli or the mysterious Ranger? The bad guys really are bad and in some cases sadistic and really awful things happen ...but these books are wonderful. Janet has a new one coming out in June..I can't wait for this one either..These books are exciting,dramatic,sexy,mysterious,and down right fun.

The Stephanie Plum series is a well written set of novels that keep you intrigued while reading.

Eleven on Top is filled with problems: Stephanie needs a new job, Stephanie quits eating sugar, Stephanie works a little too close to Ranger, Terrifying notes and explosions, and four missing men who are all around the same age.

I feel like in book ten Janet Evanovich didn't write to her full potential, but if you did not like ten and are wondering if eleven's any different: I would say it is different and very possibly one of the best yet... You will like this book if you have been missing Grandma Mazur, if you love drooling over Ranger, if you are tired of the Kloughn wedding and if you think Stephanie should explore new jobs.

Read Eleven on Top!

Having read all of the series so far, I can easily say this one is the best. But no cheating! You really need to read at least a few of the others to really enjoy this juicy little number. The things that make this one so special is that we are treated to different sides of those two terrific Alpha males in Stephanies' life--Morelli and Ranger. Plus the usually crackle-smart plot and the "usual suspect" knuckleheads, family and friends just make this an auto-buy. This is a "one size fits all" series and it's hard to go wrong starting--or continuing the fun reading.

The appeal of Janet Evanovich's Eleven On Top is all in her main character Stephanie Plum, a modern day Lucille Ball who we are supposed to believe is a rough-and-tumble crime solver, a plausible enough proposition in the sit-com world she inhabits but one better suited to a half hour of wisecracks and slapstick than a 300 page novel trying to double as a crime thriller. In fact, if you tried to stand up Eleven On Top on its crime thriller credentials alone it falls flat. There's little here to intrigue or ensnare. The mystery feels like an afterthought, something Evanovich dreamed up in the shower one morning before she sat down to write and one she hasn`t wasted more than thirty pages trying to develop or resolve. Instead, we get page after page of Stephanie getting herself into all kinds of hilarious scrapes with boyfriends, family and pets, hilarious, that is, if you enjoy the kind of humor which constitutes most TV comedy - smart-alecky, juvenile and calculatedly crass. Apparently, many people do.

I couldn't help thinking that Evanovich and her editor Jen Enderlin (to whom she dedicates this book ) sat down and figured out just who their audience is, and tailored their characters to appeal to them, in the process giving short shrift to such pesky side issues as plot development and expository narrative. Look, if you can connect with an audience effectively, making them feel you understand them, reflecting back their lives and concerns, this is all you need to rise to the top of the bestseller's list (which is why self-help books written by pseudo-psychologists do so well). Evanovich and Enderlin have figured this out.

And what Americans are they appealing to?

Disturbingly, the characters in this book are defined almost entirely by their appetites. Stephanie herself is obsessed with eating, as is almost every other character in the book. When they're not eating, they're thinking about sex. Occasionally, they like to flaunt the clothes they're wearing or brag about the vehicles they're driving. But that's pretty much it. Everything else in their lives is a paltry sideshow compared to their obsessions with food, sex and the way they look; and ultimately they feel empty and unfulfilled as they sit around and fret: "My life had no clear direction. My goals were small and immediate. Pay the rent. Get a better car. Make a dinner decision. I didn't have a career. I didn't have any special talents. I didn't have a consuming passion. I didn't have a hobby." I can just hear Evanovich's readers going, "Right on. Stephanie's just like me. She's shallow and cowardly and hates her life, and she fights crime!" God, help us.

The problem isn't that Evanovich and Enderlin have tapped into their audience so effectively. Kudos to them for that; they're marketers, and damned good ones. The problem is they're not good writers - not in the sense that good writers feel a responsibility to develop their characters, not just profit from them. I'm not suggesting that good writers always offer a solution to human foibles or even that they ought to, only that once they spotlight a flaw, like Evanovich does with Stephanie Plum above (and elsewhere throughout the novel), they feel a compulsion to do something about it. Either Stephanie must grow because of this realization or it must hinder her in some way. But in this book it does neither. It's like introducing a dramatic plot element, like a gun hanging on a wall, which any reasonable reader would conclude is being mentioned for a reason, and then never bringing it up again. What's the point? Unless of course you're confident that your readership all have guns hanging on their walls they're never planning on doing anything with and the mention of it is sure to resonate with them. It'll help to sell books, I guess, but nobody benefits from it, except the author and her banker.

Having said all that, Stephanie Plum is almost irresistibly charming in her frantic, ditzy way. Perhaps readers who identify with her will be inspired to believe that in spite of their shallow, appetite-driven lives they can be irresistibly charming too and snag a handsome hunk like their hero Stephanie. This is fiction of another type. And I guess that's the appeal of this book, because if you're looking for a good crime thriller with an engrossing plot, something where the characters grow as a result of their experiences, and something offering a sense of humor that rises above that of a mid-grade sit-com, you're in the wrong place. For me, anyway, Stephanie's charm is not nearly enough.

I love the Stephanie Plum novels! Janet has outdone herself this time! Of course, I say that with every book I read of hers, but I always believe it!

Her antics with Lula, Ranger, Morelli, Bob the Dog, & Grandma Mazur never cease to make me laugh hysterically! Stephanie's sister, Valerie, is as nutty as ever. As is her soon-to-be hubby, Albert Kloughn. I can almost picture this dysfunctional family living down the street from me! LOL!

If you are a reader of Janet Evanovich's Plum series, you will undoubtedly love this book! I read it in less than 2 days! I couldn't put it down & stayed up way past my normal bedtime to finish it!

What a fantastic read!

It was an interesting twist for Stephanie to quit her job with Vinnie. In the beginning it sort of bummed me out. But when Lula promoted herself to take over Stephanie's job and then constantly needed Stephanie to bail her out, that became pretty amusing. Stephanie's various jobs were mildly amusing also, but the whole car exploding thing is getting old. There are so many other ways to entertain. The reason I rated this book only 3 stars is due to Stephanie's relationships with Joe and Ranger. I can appreciate the author trying to please all the readers, the readers rooting for Joe and the readers rooting for Ranger (my money is on Ranger), however, at some point it just feels like Stephanie's in limbo. It's going nowhere with Joe and going nowhere with Ranger and the reader feels that. It's become almost boring, her interactions with these men. It almost feels like she's being cruel to Joe, living with him, yet flirting with Ranger at work. Stephanie's going to have to make a decision pretty soon, before the readers start to lose complete interest in either of them.

I have been a Stephanie Plum fan since One for The Money. I truly love the mix of humor and mystery; the messed up life Stephanie seems to live; her crazy family and friends, etc. I will admit though that a couple of books ago, I did think that maybe Janet no longer enjoyed Stephanie, as something was just 'missing' from the series. Well . . . whatever was missing has been found! I started chuckling on page 1 and continued through page 310. I mean, these books are written for the laughs as well as the mysteries and she had me laughing out loud with some of Stephanie's antics. Grandma Mazur is still going great guns and we actually got a little closer look at Mom and Dad this time out. The mystery in this outing was much better than the last few, and I really hadn't figured it out until she got to the Fort Dix tie-in, so that was good. I just really enjoyed this one more than I had in a while, and it seemed to me that we got a closer look at some of the people in Stephanie's life. And who of us hasn't stopped at some time in our lives and thought, "how did I get to this point in my life, and why"? My recommendation is . . . don't miss this one, Janet is back on track.

This book was better than the last few in the series, but it's really way past time to start developing these characters and stories more.

The basic plotline remains the same -- Stephanie loves Joe, but lusts after Ranger. Her cars blow up. Her family is dysfunctional. Lula is a 'ho. As long as these characters have been around, one would expect to see at least a little development instead of the same old same old, which is starting to get stale. How many funerals can Grandma attend?

The last few books have indicated in the forward that Janet Evanovich is now using a co-writer. Perhaps that's the problem with this series, because her other co-written series stinks.

I'm a big fan of Janet Evanovich, especially with this particular Stephanie Plum Bounty Hunter mystery series. However, I fail to understand why this time around, Evanovich has to give some of the female characters eating and drinking problems. This does not add in any way whatsoever to the book. Shouldn't being called a "fat *ss" reason enough to want to lose weight, or just being tired of the same old unhealthy routine? Or why can't Stephanie enjoy her cake in peace? Portraying women as complete dim wits with absolute zero self control in order to add interest or an element of entertainment is not only demeaning, it doesn't work and it surely ain't funny. Women are smarter than that, even the ones from New Jersey.

An alright book if you want to catch up on Stephanie Plum. Entertainmentwise, it barely passes.

As with all books in the Stephanie Plum series, this is a fun read with humor and enough mystery to maintain the interest. It is certainly a pleasure to visit these CHARACTERS - a word chosen deliberately - to catch up on their lives. I had been anxiously awaiting this book, but was a little disappointed with the result. Not wanting to give away the storyline, I will just state that the plot seemed as tired as did Stephanie; however, I will continue to purchase and read this series because I always have FUN and LAUGH OUT LOUD --- and that is the best recommendation I can give. Thanks.

Eleven On Top by Janet Evanovich was released in 2005. Once again Stephanie Plum the bounty hunter, along with her friend Lula, and other wild character like Grandma Mazur are on a new adventure. Being stalked by a maniac is only the start of her problems. Fans of Janet Evanovich will like this the most.

I'm addicted to Stephanie Plum books... much the same way the main character is addicted to birthday cake and doughnuts! Eleven on Top was a great addition to the collection. My only criticisms... 1) The book was too short (it was such a fun read that it didn't take very long to get through it) and 2) I'm in Plum limbo-land again (waiting for the next release).

Non-stop action and laugh-out-loud humor will keep me coming back for book 12. This is the PERFECT summer read! It isn't "cerebral-stimulating literature," it is pure fun and adventure. It might even be the series of books I've ever read.

First of all, I really find Lorelei King annoying as the reader. Her midwestern accent is so miscast(Hat Dag?). She is also not a very good actress. The first Stephanie Plum novel I listened to was read by Debi Mazur. She was absolutely the funniest and the best. Her attitude was perfect. And I have a bulletin for the author: New Jersey natives do not call our state JERSEY. It's NEW Jersey, thank you very much, and if we were to believe the deprecating humor about it in these books one would wonder why it's one of the richest states in the union.

I am afraid Stephanie stopped being a sympathetic character in this book. She is self-destructive, wreckless and just plain stupid. Half way through I stopped wanting to be bothered with her. Why on earth these two allegedly sexy men find her to be so delicious is a complete mystery to me; the only mystery in the story, apparently. Enough, already!

This story starts out with Stephaine looking for a new job. Even though she is trying to leave the danger behind the 'bad guys' continue to blow up her cars, shoot at her and master mind her death. Stephaine sex-drive goes into over drive when she give up sugar and she can't make a decision between Morelli or Ranger. In this book we get some more insight into Ranger past life. I enjoy Janet Evanovich books and enjoy the smile it puts on my face. I hope someday Stephaine will make a choice and live happy-ever-after - but I would be sad to see the series end.

I was not overly impressed with Ten Big Ones, but boy was I with this one.

I absolutely loved it. I think that Stephanie changing jobs was just what Janet Evanovich needed to do for that perfect little change to keep the readers on their toes...and naturally, Stephanie was still going to be her nosy-old self.

My mother got me hooked on these booked years ago, and now I anxiously await each and everyone of them to come out. They always have been and will continue to be, hopefully for years to come, my favorite Romance/Drama/Comedy/Mystery series.

Our favorite Cake-aholic is back!

Stephanie Plum, a disaster prone bounty hunter tries to give her career a mundane makeover, unfortunately for her, even a job as ordinary as working at a local dry cleaner does not stop catastrophe from striking.

Trouble seems to follow Stephanie around no matter what her profession, as a villain from the past stalks her, putting Stephanie, co-workers, loved ones, and vehicles in danger.

Stephanie's unfortunate disasters and wacky friends are a fast paced, hilarious read that does not disappoint! My favorite part being, the Grandma Mazur vs. Mrs. Plum cake fight. Keep `em coming Ms. Evanovich!

This is Evanovich at her best and has to be one of my favorites in the series thus far. There is more to the Stephanie/Joe AND Stephanie/Ranger relationship in this book. Both are yummy, yummy men. As ususal, it has many laughs and Stephanie rolls in garbage more than once. All the usual characters are back with Grandma Mazur at her ridiculous best. (great food fight between Grandma and Stephanie's Mom!) The plot is a little more tense in this book because Stephanie is being stalked/threatened by a mystery man. I highly recommend this one.

I'm a big fan and am really glad to see that Janet seems to be back on track. I didn't enjoy 10 Big Ones or Metro Girl and was worried 11 On Top would be my last from this author. I am happy to report, I am gladly waiting for the next one. Stephanie is back in trouble even though she is trying to take charge of her life with disasterous results. I would like to have seen her grow just a little, but maybe in the next one. This is a quick funny read that had me laughing out loud and reading into the wee hours of the morning. I highly recommend this one!

With the exception of one glitch, this has been a consistently entertaining series. Eleven on Top is a fast and fun trip with Stephanie Plum and crew, as Ms. Plum decides to give up bounty hunting and try her hand at a more normal job. This goes about as well as it did when Amelia Bedelia tried to stop being a maid in 'Good job, Amelia Bedelia.' Disaster after disaster follows Stephanie around, and in between job mishaps, helping Lula become a bounty hunter, and car explosions there is a mystery to solve.

One of the best things in this series is the supporting cast, and they're all here in full bloom.

Long live Grandma Mazur!

I too have been a fan from the beginning but this is the first book I have not bought. There are many laughs but the situations are getting repetitive. And there are too many useless characters that need to move on. Sister Valerie, her now 3 kids, & her fiance (or maybe he is her husband now) are good examples. I would have liked Ranger to remain a man of mystery. I liked it better before Stephanie found out where he lived and I now know too much about his family. And I agree that her antics make Joe Morelli look like a wimp for staying with her.

I was looking forward to this book but can say that the anticipation for the next one is not as strong. I'm thinking Janet is thinking the checks are coming in so why bother with anything new?

When I say she, I mean both Janet Eanovich and Stephanie Plum. In the 11th book of this funny and entertaining series, I found the plot line to be a bit thin. Granted, this is not great literature and Evanovich is never one to pass it as such, but somewhere between re-releasing romance novels and writing "Metro Girl", Evanovich seems to have lost a bit of the Plum magic.

The book begins with Stephanie deciding to quit her job as a bounty hunter. She wants more stability in her life. She wants people to stop shooting at her. She wants her apartment to be break-in free. Of course, we all know that is never going to happen. The minute she quits, threatening letters start showing up on her car, in her apartment, etc. She does get a new job, then gets fired. Gets another job, then gets fired. Gets a third job -- you get the picture. And while she's busy job-hopping, she's grilling the men in her life, Joe and Ranger, for the latest news on a missing persons case. She may want a "simpler" life, but she is too nosy for that. I expect to see her back at Vinnie's office in book 12.

The mystery in this book was not nearly as gripping as past plotlines. I didn't really care who the bad person was because I didn't think the missing persons case was all that interesting (plus it was rarely talked about -- too many things being blown up instead). And, of course, Stephanie is between Joe and Ranger again. Who does she love? Who does she kiss? Personally, I think that mystery was better.

We learn more about Stephanie's dad in this book and I actually feel sorry for him. I used to think he was boring. Now one can't blame him for tuning out his crazy family. Also, Valerie and her clan are gearing up for the wedding, but luckily they are simply background characters in this book. I hope Evanovich keeps them that way. Lula is wonderful, as always.

Overall, I read this book in one day and it made me laugh out loud several times and I would read it again. However, but the time I closed it, I felt in ended too quickly. The story just moves along slowly, finally builds into something the last 20 pages, and then ends. You are always left hanging a bit by the end of a Plum novel (that's what gets you to buy the next one), but this time I was less anxious and more disappointed. I thought "That's it?" instead of "That's all?"

I give the book 4 stars because I don't regret spending money on it. I would buy it again and I know I'll and read it again. I love the Stephanie Plum series. I only hope Evanovich finds time to break away from all she has going on to write a 12th novel with the style and wit we've come to expect from her.

Stephanie Plum quits her job as a bounty hunter, expecting that this change will normalize her life, and she will no longer be shot at or have her cars blown up, or be the target of other mayhem. Unfortunately for her, but fortunately for us the readers, that expectation does not come true, and once again there are shootings, explosions, and other assorted bad things going on around here. There is also much more about her disfunctional family, and the odd relationship she has with Officer Morelli and Ranger. This is a book to keep turning pages, and when it's done, you'll feel satisfied that you've had an excellent literary ride!

Just finished "Eleven On Top", Stephanie Plum Series
This wasn't one of my favorites in the series. Didn't think it was as funny. The characters and their antics are getting a bit boring. Same story lines. I would like to see characters grow up a bit more and act a bit more grown up now instead of constantly acting like the Keystone cops. I will never give up on Stephanie Plum, Morelli and Ranger. On to the next book.

Funny in parts, but if you have read one of the Stephanie Plum books, you have basically read them all. Janet Evanovich could charge less for books which are purely recycled material.

What happens - Yep you guessed.

Grandma Mazur goes to viewings and peers into coffins

Stephanie is short of money as usual, getting into situations she can't handle but manages to come out on top after a few comical encounters, helped by Joe Morelli and Ranger.

Stephanie wavers between Joe and Ranger

Rex, who most be the oldest living Hamster in the world, runs on his wheel

Lula says Hurrmph and swaps the F...king A's for more moderate language (JE must have had some complaints after the swearing in Ten Big Ones)

Car gets destroyed

Mom's place for meals

As I said, the same old, same old. Only difference is Stephanie is not working at Vinnie's any more. Lula has taken over Stephanie's old job. Sister Valerie who made an appearance a few books ago get's hitched. Or was that No 10. Just read it but already can't remember.

Time to crank out a few new storylines instead of relying on recycling the earlier ones. If Janet Evanovich wants to sell books, she should start writing decent ones instead of going on tour and selling to the the faithful who really don't care what's in the book as long as they have the latest edition.

I only recently discovered Janet Evanovich, much to my shame. This book is wonderful from start to finish.

Stephanie Plum has had it up to here with her job hauling in bail jumpers. The last straw is a tumble in mounds of stinky garbage to bring down someone trying to run away from her. Her decision? Take her mother's advice and get a real job.

Everyone should know that putting Stephanie Plum in a real job is like putting M&M's in meatloaf. The two just do not go together. She runs through new careers like water through a sieve, occasionally still backing up Lula who has taken over her position at Vinny's.

This book is filled with twists and turns, comic characters, and of course a bombed car. I'd worried it wouldn't be as good taking Stephanie out of the biz, but I was wrong. Apparently it doesn't take hunting down criminals for this Jersey girl to find herself in trouble. Two thumbs up for the brilliant Ms. Evanovich.

I'm assuming you've read the previous 10 Janet Evanovich novels to get to this point. You laugh at Stephaine Plum and her love interests as she, the most unlikely bondsman, solves her cases. Yeah, yeah, it's funny and I like the characters. The problem is that it's like all her others. You know what to expect and she delivers, but it feels like its all been done before. I don't know if I'm going to keep reading them. I would like to see it turned into a series -- maybe on HBO. Now that might be interesting.

First, I have been a religious fan of this series; I've bought each paperback as soon as it came out and even special-ordered an autographed hardback. I used to check the author's website.
This book, however, was a major disappointment. I was warned by a friend that the author went backwards with this book, but I still was a believer and unfortunately made the purchase. I don't like the direction she took Stephanie. Perhaps the author is just running out of fresh ideas and is reworking these characters in bizarre angles? This book reminded me of a sit-com that has stayed on tv too long and has gotten silly. I haven't bought any of the books written since this one came out. My advice is to just borrow a copy from the library if you want to read it. And don't expect too much.

I'm new to the world of Stephanie Plum. After an introduction via no. 9, I ran right out and began a Plum-crazy marathon. So I look at Stephanie as a story arc as well as a contained book/episode. Eleven on Top is great, not quite up to my favorites - Two for the Dough, High Five and To the Nines - but a great read taking the story farther than just a self contained mystery.

Not having invested years in "shipping" Stephanie with one boyfriend or another, as so many other readers apparently have, I'm a lot more even-handed in enjoyment of Stephanie's love life as Janet Evanovich writes it. Here we have much needed development of Ranger and his world.

Part of the appeal of the Plum adventures is Stephanie's hot, hormonal love life. To have a viable triangle, which is what I see developing more and more as the Plum series goes forward, you need 3 credible sides to the triangle. Stephanie's world is populated by a cast of crazy, sometimes over the top, but always "real" people - with the possible exception of Ranger. Starting with a cardboard presentation of a "man of mystery" with an enigmatic smile, whose vocabulary seemed limited to "babe", we badly need to get a glimpse behind the mask.

We have a fully drawn up Morelli, but is he the long run man for her? Yes, he loves her, but does he really love HER? They say a man should look at his girlfriend's mother to see what she will mature into. Joe's looking at Mrs. Plum, but he should be looking at Grandma Mazur. He needs a jolt to keep things interesting. Heating things up with Ranger is just going to make the series all the more exciting a read. I say, "Let the competition begin!"

Now I can't wait to get the chance to read "Twelve Sharp".

Janet Evanovich treats us again to the wonderful, sometimes slapstick, always amusing adventures of Stephanie Plum, inadvertent bounty hunter. All the favorites are here ... Grandma Mazur, Lula, Officer Hottie Joe Morelli, and, of course, Ranger (Mmmmmmm), he of the mysterious life and super-charged sexuality that makes your eyes blur while you read.

I found this one to be possibly her best. The action and plot are exciting, the characters are like visiting old friends (and lovers), and Stephanie's misadventures never fail to have me laughing out loud. I couldn't even begin to point out a favorite part with so much to choose from ... the Cluck-in-a-Bucket fire, the shoot-out at the Kan Klean, donut withdrawal symptoms, Rangewear commando style, Mrs. Plum's ironing, Grandma Mazur's suggested reading material for Joe, or what happens to the wedding cake. Then of course, there's Ranger (Mmmmmmm). It's a wonderful ride. Where do I line up to buy another ticket?

Pay full price, pay rush shipping, it's worth every penny.

The first 5 in Stephanie Plum series are absolutely hilarious, then it starts going downhill. I really enjoyed first five books although Stephanie was getting on my nerves with her absolute terror of guns, but it was fun reading none the less. Then, I think, Janet Evanovich was starting to run out of the ideas. The Eleven on top is boring, boring, boring. Its more of the same old stuff-Stephanie is just as incompetent as she was in the first book, her love life is just as screwed up(choose Ranger already and be done with it), and her grandmother is just as nuts. Don't waste your money.

Janet Evanovich seems to have identified a formula that works for her Stephanie Plum series: Stephanie is loveable but inept, cannot seem to escape either her family or the trials of her career as a bounty hunter, is torn between two lovers, and relishes eating with abandon.

If you think about it, what woman can't identify with her?

There is no additional plot- or character-development in this 11th installment. As a reader, I personally find that disappointing (hence the two stars) but suspect that most of Evanovich's target audience enjoys settling in with Stephanie like they enjoy putting on a comfortable pair of sweats and fixing an ice cream sundae to enjoy. So that results in a 4 star rating for Evanovich's adherence to a winning formula.

I've enjoyed this series but Stephanie's perils have become repetitive and less amusing. Stephanie is looking more and more immature and commitment phobic and less and less endearingly ditzy. The most intriguing character in the series, Ranger, needs to be fully explored so that when Stephanie finally makes her "choice" between Morelli and Ranger, we understand why. Let's see the romances intensify and less emphasis on the secondary characters. I adore Lula and Gramma, but Valerie has to go!

Stephanie Plum is back in the twelfth novel of the series, and she's fed up with being a bounty hunter, the novelty of rolling in garbage, having food thrown on her and being stalked by psycho's has worn off. With the upturn in the economy Stephanie decides to seek alternative employment, first at the button factory, then the drycleaners, and Cluck in a Bucket is next, before Ranger offers her employment with Rangeman Enterprises. As is usual with Stephanie nothing goes smooth, and besides she's bored being deskbound, so inevitably her usual curiosity is aroused to start snooping into dangerous situations. Lula takes over her role as bounty hunter, however is constantly relying on Stephanie for backup so the rolling in garbage and having food thrown over her continues. The sexual tension between Stephanie and the two male protagonists Morelli and Ranger is still on, with the relationship with Ranger being built on in this novel. Stephanie gives up sugar, which has an interesting impact on her libido. Despite giving up being a bounty hunter Stephanie again finds herself stalked by a psycho, only this time its someone back from the dead. Among the mayhem of Stephanie's professional life, Sally Sweet is back planning Valerie's and Kloughn's wedding, and Stephanie is to play cello at the wedding. This novel along with the other Stephanie Plum novels, is a mixture of comedy and crime fiction, and supports the usual cast of zany characters that the reader has come to love. Fans of the Stephanie Plum novels won't be disappointed with Janet Evanovich's latest offering as it is a delightfully enjoyable romp through the disasters that only happen to Stephanie. An entertaining read that existing fans will devour and new readers will enjoy the mayhem and humour that is synonymous with this series.

Did anybody else feel like this book was written in a couple different phases and somehow lost it's initial direction? The story in the 2nd (or so) half of the book deteriorated to paragraphs of Stephanie obsessing about either food or Ranger. For most of the 2nd half what happened to Lula, the family, or the missing men?

That aside, it's absoutley amazing to me that there is no character development in this series. I posted last year after reading #10 that it seems like having the characters grow has tons of potential to be funny. I really don't get why that is not happening, with any of the characters! At all! Also, there no new characters. The stories are all repeats at this point. I agree with a couple other posts that comment about how many times can Ranger respond with "Babe". I cringed everytime I read that. He's suppose to be an intelligent person! The situations are all the same. How long can Stephanie date Joe while constantly lusting after Ranger? How many times can Ranger be suggestive, but only suggestive? How many cars can blow up? How much junk food can one person consume? How many times can one person fall in garbage or food?

I know this series is suppose to be light and fun (and at the beginning definitely was - no doubt about it!) but the story is old and stale at this point. Sadly disappointing! I really hope there are some major changes in #12, as I would love to laugh like I did while reading the first books in this series!

as the 1st one was!
I hope there will be many more! (her web site say she's on contract up to number 14!)
The intrigue is equal to the previous Stephanie Plum stories, the caracters are still fun and grazy. I just love those books!
A note for those who never read a Stephanie Plub story. You'd better read them in order...
something more: EVERYONE like those books. I gave them as presents to friend and familly, whatever their favorite genre, everyone loves it. From my 84 y.old mom to my young cousins...
Envoy!

Stephanie Plum makes a decision to quit her job as a bounty hunter in the hopes that her life will become more normal. No such luck. Disaster follows Stephanie in each new job she tries. I think that this, the eleventh book in this series, is one of the best. Familiar characters and situations that mirror past stories combine to make this a fast paced read. Humor lightens even the most disastrous occasion. A steady diet of Stephanie Plum could prove tiring, but one episode a year is a nice break from the darker entries in the available fiction.

Oh what clever dialogue! Her characters are well developed with such interesting interchanges that will keep you wanting more. Clever plot development makes this story intriguing and compelling. Enjoy, I did.

Life has moved on for Stephanie. She now works for Ranger, so the tension between Steph, Joe and Ranger has moved up a notch. She probably needs to marry Joe to maintain the tension, if she continues to work for Ranger. Lula is now a bounty hunter, and she seems about as capable as Stephanie was.

Grandma Mazur is on fine form, unfortunately not much from Stephanie's father in this book. The not-so-perfect Valerie marries Albert Kloughn with the help of Sally Sweet, as wedding planner. The wedding epic was the weakest point in the book, and Stephanie's claims to be able to play a musical instrument was just plain daft. There is less good writing and more madcap lunacy in Evanovich's writing now. Is she a bit senile? It's okay, but not one of her best. Stephanie Plum is still 1000 times better than Metro Girl and the obnoxious Barney and Nascar man.

Worth buying, but not at full price.

Stephanie just keeps getting better and better! This time her willpower (towards doughnuts AND Ranger) creates a wonderful environment for Morelli! All the characters are still as lovable, and some of the ones introduced in this story are just hilarious!! Stephanie decides in the first few pages to quit being a bounty hunter, because its just too dangerous and she's tired of crazy things in her life! Unfortunately, she's already touched too many crazy people! Her job hunt will make you laugh until you cry. Finally Grandma Mazur tells her to go the female personal product plant, because surely they haven't heard of her that far down the road! Another great one - the sparks are still flying and Steph's mom is still being driven nuts! This is definitely one of my favorites so far!

I love the Stephanie Plum series and waited patiently for Eleven on Top to come out. I thought Ten Big Ones was the best book yet. I had high hopes for Eleven on Top. I even pre-ordered it from the store and had friends waiting in line to read my copy when it arrived. Very ho-hum, I kept waiting for the story to really get going, I was still waiting whent the book ended. Can't Morelli get hit by a bus or something so we can get more of the man of mystery? How 'bout some realism like the men lose interest for 5 minutes and Stephanie has to TRY. All of the other books have some really exciting part, this one just seemed like all of the other books spliced together to form a new much less interesting story. I'm waiting with high hopes for TWELVE, I hope it measures up to the others.

I picked this book up to read when I was bored, ten seconds into the story, I was not bored any longer. Funny, entertaining, and a mystery!

Some of the moments in this book would not be safe while drinking coffee, you would end up spewing it out while laughing.

I don't like spoilers, so I don't write them, but Stephanies grandmother really has a mouth on her and she is not afraid to speak her opinion.

Having read all eleven of these, I can only conclude that the author needs to invent some new characters and situations to go with Stephanie Plum. How many times can I be amused by her car being destroyed? By her grandmother's antics at a funeral home "viewing"? By the rippling muscles and puerile approaches of her two suitors? By the malaprops of her ex-hooker friend? By the hamster in his soup can? By the dysfunctional sister and her kids, one of whom thinks she is a horse? Perhaps if I had read all these with a year between each, it wouldn't be so obvious. But, alas....

There is humor, I'll admit, but it gets thin when the same joke is told over and over and over.

I love all of Janet Evanovich's novels. They're funny, sexy, witty, and have great characters.

I still can't make up my mind between the two men in Stephanie Plum's life, Morelli or Ranger, so how in the world will she be able to choose? Is there such a thing as keeping both?

Grandma Mazur is hilarious; Stephanie has a wonderful family.

It was a break to have her quit her bounty hunter job and try her hand at all those other kooky jobs ... and then surprise ... surprise ... she goes to work for Ranger. Enough said!

You must buy this book to find out what happens next! It's worth every penny.

If you are a fan of the Stephanie Plum series, then you can't miss reading this and adding to your collection. Ditzy Stephanie is suppose to be out of the bounty hunter business...off the streets and working for Ranger. She's still torn between Ranger and Morelli, still having her cars blown up, running around with Lulu and Grandma, and eating donuts. It is the same same...not as many laughs as some of the others...but a good summer read anyway.

Not all readers like Janet Evanovich's books, but if you do, or if you've never tried one, this is a great read. Whenever she has a new book out, I think, "okay, this won't hold up," but in my mind, they have. Sure, it's the same old setups and stumbles, but the author makes everything, including, most importantly, the characters, seem fresh. I found myself racing through the book, chuckling, and enjoying the company of the characters all the way. If you know you don't like these books, this won't win you over, but if you do, it's highly recommended.

The lastest Stephanie Plum novel, like the others in this series, is a fun read, but I found myself getting a little bored with this latest entry and actually skimmed portions of it. The usual lovable characters are present, but their antics are getting a little stale. We know that there are going to be car chases, explosions, and the at least one viewing at Stiva's that Grandma Mazur has to attend. As for Stephanie's supposed conflict over Joe and Ranger, I'm really not seeing any conflict at all. She lives with Joe much of the time, or is sleeping with him. I wish that Janet Evanovich would shake things up a bit and put Joe on the back burner for a while and have Stephanie and Ranger try to have an actual relationship; this might freshen the series up and would allow for some different plotlines. How about having Stephanie meet Ranger's family? This might take away from Ranger's mysterious image, but after 11 books, I think that Stephanie, and the readers, should know more about him.

I read this book in less than a day. It was fun and funny. Very similar to the other books in the series. I enjoy all the crazy characters Evanovich has developed in this series. I enjoy when they continue from book to book or when they reappear after being gone for a book or 2.

I'd like to see the series continue, but there needs to be a few changes. There needs to be a finish not just an ending to the story. I've felt the last few books just end and leave you hanging in the middle of a thought.

I'd like to see if Stephanie continues to work for Ranger or where she goes to work from here.

I'm tired of the sexual tension she goes though and wish she'd make a decision between Ranger and Joe. The fact that she seems to love Joe and can't say I love you bugs me. I don't like that she has so much sex with Joe, but then keeps thinking about having sex with Ranger. It devalues the act. I don't know who she should pick, but the last 3 or 4 books have been a repeat of the same thing. Let's move on. Marry Joe, work for Ranger, could work. Evanovich is a creative writer and I know she can get this series back on track. I'm looking forward to book 12.

This book is so saucy, exciting and action - packed. It seems Stephanie is finally coming out of her shell because not only does she shoot a person in the foot she also broke a guy's nose and things heat up between her and Ranger. The start was a bit annoying because she quit her job as a bounty hunter for no reason and the job at the button factory was un - neccesary in the book but its exciting when some one (i wont say who) gets hit by a truck. Morelli seems to be getting a bit "Italian Stallion" lately for Stephanie's taste (for more Italian stallion stories you guys should check out the sidharta publishing website for a good book called Seasons of Life by Alison Lewis)or should i say my taste? Ranger seems to be right on the mark and though neither will put a ring on her finger the love triangle remains HOT, HOT, HOT.

All of Janet's books are great but I was really looking forward to Eleven on top becuase there was a prospect that it was the end. THANKS TO GOD ITS NOT!!!theres a 12th Stephanie Plum book coming out called Twelve sharp. I CANT WAIT. But will Stephanie be stuck in Ranger's job? I gotta say I love Bounty Hunting and its a great job.

For more Stephanie Plum stuff and Bounty Hunting go to my website: [...]

thanks heaps for reading my comments. Eleven On Top is a great gift and an awesome story

peace out

First I want to say - I LOVE THE STEPHANIE PLUM NOVELS!!!!!!!!!!! I was crying & laughing out loud on a full commuter train ... I couldn't help myself.

But, this is the first novel I felt that Janet Evanovich has lost some of the sparkle. This story felt very tired and rehashed. About halfway thru I could predict the ending and how it would end up with Joe and Ranger.

I am hopeful that Janet Evanovich will take a break and be able to find her unique-ness again.

I bought the hardback off the bargain shelf and took it on vacation with me. I'd never read a Stephanie Plum book, so decided it was time given all the kudos these books and character have received. It was funny, if unrealistic with all the bombings and fires, yet she's unscathed. The LOL factor happened often enough, my family was starting to get annoyed with me. I will definitely consider reading another one.

A big fan of Stephanie Plum novels, I couldn't wait for the paperback to come out, and I was not disappointed.

Stephanie's antics continue with her usual getting into jams and needing to be rescued, cars exploding, and Ms. Evanovich successfully finds ways to keep that from getting old. The Stephanie-Morelli and Stephanie-Ranger sparks continue to fly, although this reader can't help but wish she'd dump Morelli and have another Ranger fling.

Another fun read. I raced right through it. Don't hesitate -- it's worth it.

This was one of the best Plum novels since the first came out. Again, I laughed out loud in many places. It was funny and witty. Stephanie seems to have taken a step in the right direction. I was getting tired of the bounty hunting. SPOILER ALERT : Now, as a sort-of-detective, working with Ranger (YES!), she's fabulous! I can't wait for the next installment. The last two books had been minor let-downs. She's back!

In this, her 11th in the Stephanie Plum series, Janet Evanovich delivers another fabulous porch, beach or sofa read (your choice). Stephanie is still a disaster but now works for Ranger giving the storyline some very fresh (in every sense of the word) perspectives. From Lula and Grandma, to the hot hunks Joe Morelli and Ranger all the primary characters are back and in great form. The main cast of characters is supported by Stephanie's ever present parents and sister. Just when you think Janet may have run out of gas she presents you with a fresh story that delivers the laughs and stirs up the libido in a fun and quick read. The bad thing is the story was over too soon. The good thing is that you can read these books out of order and the continuity is not disturbed. Thumbs up Janet, you go girl!

Unlike many of the other reviewers, I've loved all of the books in the Stephanie Plum series and this one was no exception. I like the fact that Steph is trying out a new career and really hope the next book sees her continuing on at Rangeman and getting more involved with Ranger. I don't particularly want to see her settle down with either guy at this point, but would like to see a shake up in her personal life in book twelve. Those of us who are fans of Ranger want to see things progress further than the occassional flirting since Evanovich has spent the last six books building him up. The only complaint I do have with this book is the fact that it took me all of five hours to read it but for some reason takes Evanovich a year to write it. I wish she would cease with re-releasing the old books that were bad to begin with and haven't improved with age. I'd rather see a new Stephanie Plum novel every six months.

Gush, gush, gush. There's how I feel about Janet's books. I came a little late to her fan club. STARTED with "Ten Big Ones" but caught up quickly and am a devoted fan of her hilarious, sexy, outside-the-lines style of writing. Her characters are unforgettable. God forbid I ever run into the likes of Grandma Bella, but a little time with the Ranger man would get my mojo working.

Keep 'em coming, Janet. I'll be waiting for future books with my credit card at the ready.

Like others, I read the 11th book (but it's actually 12 with "Sugar Plums") in a day. Stephanie Plum has me in stitches every time! Her forays into drycleaning, serving up grease in a bucket, and evading the smarmy advances of her button factory boss were terrific, but I miss the misstepping bounty hunter.

Terrific tension between Stephanie and Ranger as her new boss were just an added bonus. :-)

after diving into the first 10 i could not wait for this to come out! a big disappointment. slow plotline, week sexual tension, NOT very many laugh out loud funny parts at all. another reviewer was right. . .the weekest of the bunch. 12 got a bit better, but it is still not back to the awesome-ness of the previous 10. (the pack of horny dogs in 10 i think tops the list as the most funny part in any of them!)

Stephanie Plum is back in action in true form. Someone is trying to blow her up, again... While the action heats up, so do her relationships with the darkly attractive Ranger and the seductive Joe. You can't ask for more in a romantic mystery/crime/suspense novel. This is a five-star romp all the way. Janet Evanovich should stick to the crime/mystery genre and avoid the zappy romances she writes with a partner.

Stephanie Plum is not a nuanced character--and she's all the better for it. We have come to expectand appreciate the lurid details of the denizens of Trenton, Mama's drinking, sister's weight gain, and grandma's un-grandmotherly outfits. Janet Evanovich is one of the few authors who can make me laugh out loud. THis is not rocket science; it probably has no redeeming social value. But for a good time, call Stephanie. Loved it.

because I was so irritated by it I wanted it to be done. I've read, and enjoyed, the previous books in this series. (Although it's true that the last couple were already getting too repetitive). In fact, I've been enough of a fan to buy the first few books for friends as gifts, so I could expose them to this really fun series. Unfortunately, this one was a huge disappointment. It was a series of vignettes demonstrating the "heroine's" utter foolishness. Given how she was presented in this book, it was hard for me to understand why the 2 men, Ranger and Joe, would constantly be knocking thenselves out for her. I would think they'd want to run in the other direction.

The characters have become caricatures, the humor mere slapstick, and the plot arbitrary. I can understand that after so many books about the same characters, the very gifted author would be running out of ideas; I guess the publisher wants more of these books, because they are so successful, but I think it's time to gracefully retire Miss Stephanie.

To listen to this book is to step inside the fictional world of Stephanie Plum with all its nuanced textures. Loreilei King doesn't read this book, she performs it. With a range of voices and tone, you are transported to the Berg: Mama Macaroni, Grandma, Ranger, and Stephanie ring true with accents and phrases. It is a sheer delight!DUH! MARKETING: 99 Monstrous Missteps You Can Use to Learn, Laugh, and Grow Your Business!

I have read all the Stephanie Plum novels and eagerly anticipate the release of the next novel each summer. In Eleven on Top, Stephanie is back but being a bounty hunter is too dangerous so Stephanie is searching for a safer job however this is Stephanie and nothing she touchs is safe.

After a failure at the button factory - Stephanie ends up working at Ranger's and living with Morelli as she is being stalked.

The scenes are funny as always. There is a confrontation between Grandma Belle and Grandma Mazur at where else but the funeral home.

I am now eagerly anticipated #12.

I have read 5 of the Stepanie Plum novels so far and this was the funniest yet. My husband kept asking me if I was o.k. while reading it because I couldn't stop laughing and chuckling as I was reading it... I love the characters! You believe you know each of the characters. It's a great read, you'll find yourself blazing through the pages to find out what's going to happen next.

I haven’t read the Stephanie Plum books in order, so it would be hard to compare this one to the others. All I can say is that I thought Janet Evanovich was pitch perfect with this one. Loved it beginning to end.

First this a completely biased opinion because I love books 1 through 11. This one is again filled all the elements that have me laughing out loud. There is a fight between Grandma Mazur and Grandma Bella in the beginning of the book that really had me going just playing it out in my head.And there is this food fight between Grandma Mazur and Stephanie's mom which was very good too. As for what seems for some people to be a quick ending and issue of the Morelli, Ranger, and Stephanie triangle still being unresolved, is one of the reasons I am still hooked on this series. I can't choose between Ranger and Morelli and I don't think I am ready for Stephanie to make that choice either. I like the fact that after eleven books she still makes mistakes and still really does know what to do with herself. If she was suddenly married to Morelli and found a career that she was brilliant at this series would get very boring. As for the ending she is still working for Ranger by the end of the book and I think that sets things for something really fun to happen later on. Also, one thing about this series is that main events tend to always develop slowly. For example I don't think she slept with Morelli till book four and Ranger till book seven.

Another point is if you have not already read most the series this is not the book for you because it really does not stand alone. But if you are interested in this series I would start with book one. And if you are expecting a serious crime drama this is really not a series for you. As for me, I read them because they are light very funny reads and if you don't take these books too seriously, I think you really will enjoy them.

Yes, they are a guilty pleasure. The key thing is they keep me coming back for more. I heard a rumor that this will be made into a TV series so I've had a fabulous time imagining who will play the main characters. Especially Ranger and Morelli and Lula. She cracks me up. I wish I could snap my fingers and have number 12 in my hands... since I can't do that-- I'm tossing the idea of heading to the mall and smelling the testers... namely the "Bulgari" men's shower gel. *sigh* ;o) Book ten was my favorite but 11 did not dissapoint. Great twist and it ended before I wanted it to. :(

If you're a Stephanie Plum fan, you, of course, will have to read this book. If you are new to the series, this book is not the one to start with. Only a dedicated fan will be able to get through "Eleven on Top." It has the usual descriptive eating disorders (both Stephanie's and Bob's), the predictable car explosions (enough already!) and continued conflict between Morelli and Ranger (ok, maybe Ranger wins this round...but did Evanovich have to turn Morelli into such a wimp?). Stephanie is a great character, but I would really like to see her grow a bit...and get a little smarter after 11 books. She knows Ranger will come to save her regardless of how stupid she acts. If you want a good read, go get one of the earlier books and wait for "Eleven on Top" to show up at your local library.

I don't understand why this author is a best seller. She is certainly not a mystery writer.

I have read several of the books in the series and other than the first one I read in which I found her characters to be novel and amusing, each book is the same.

Very little plot - the same romantic triangle and the same offbeat characters. This is not a mystery, but a romantic comedy.

Sue Grafton does this much better - at least her recent books have become intriquing.

Stephanie was a caricature of herself. She didn't ring true this time around. She was too silly and her situations were too outrageous to believe. I've read better Plum fan fiction than what was delivered in EOT.

In fact, after reading the entire series, I'm wondering if Janet ghosted this one. It was predictable ... but that's not a bad thing if the plot is fully mastered. The 4 missing men just didn't seem to be a very important element in the plot -- and that was intended to _be_ the plot. I think the author was more interested in creating slapstick-like situations than penning a story with twists and turns for her readers to both think about, and laugh.

It's true, I had a few giggles; but overall I think the author needs to re-connect with the characters she has created. Here's hoping that Number Twelve will be better.

I spent 4 hours submerged in the life of Stephanie Plum as I read Eleven on Top. I never tire of Stephanie's dysfuctional career, family and lets not forget her love life.

The triangle of Stephanie, Ranger and Joe is heating up. I tend to wonder as another reader said how long will Joe put up with her lack of commitment. She obviously loves him as he loves her but I'm sure he is also aware that Ranger cares for Stephanie as well. I myself am torn between the two hunks so I can understand Stephanie's ungoing dilemma.

I as well as others was a little disappointed with the abrupt ending as well as the lack of mystery but then again I laughed out loud to many times as I was reading the book to really care.

For me the topper of the whole book was Grandma Mazur and Grandma Bella's bawl at funeral parlor. Definitely a priceless moment.

As always, I finished Janet Evanovich's book to quickly and am anxiously waiting the next misadventure of Stephanie Plum et al.

I love her Stephanie books, and have never been disappointed. I wasn't thrilled with Metro Girl or her books with Charlotte Hughes - but her Stephanie Plum's are the best. I read them in less than 24 hours, devour them, laugh out loud over and over, and dread getting to the last page. The upcoming year before another one is published feels like FOREVER. This was an excellent book! Thank you Janet!

I don't read Evanovich when I'm looking for something deeply literary. That said, I think she is one of the best of the best as far as sheer entertainment goes. I've thoroughly enjoyed every one of the Stephan Plum novels and, ss always, this one is a scream. Evanovich is fabulous at creating zany characters. The food fight was priceless. I'll certainly be coming back for more.

Lorelei King is not very good as narrator. She is certainly not as good as CJ Critt. Lorelei King's voice just isn't right for most of the characters. Every time she says "Stephanie said" or "Ranger said" etc, it stands out and is annoying. CJ Critt has a way of saying those things but disguising it at the same time.

The book still has some charm and humor of the previous ones in the series, but it's high time for the main plot to find some resolution. I sure hope that the 12th book will be the last one and Stephanie will swing out of her two-man conflict limbo. Nothing new is added to the story, just kind of rehashing the same old, but funny and lovable characters pull it through.

I finished this book with in two days of getting it. It was difficult to put down. Stephanie Plum just cracks me up. The only disappointment about this book is having to wait a whole year before the next one is available. I have all of the Stephanie Plum series and all of the women I work with enjoy reading them. Great entertainment, enjoy.

I love the Stephanie Plum series. There is nothing like it to boost your mood or make you smile. This installment doesn't disappoint. While you could make the case that Stephanie's back and forth between Joe and Ranger is getting a little old, it is still working. Also, I like the change in employement for Stephanie; it has her using her brains.

There is a serious plot that keeps you interested. It keeps you interested. If you are looking for easy fast reading that will keep you smiling and at times laughing out load this is a book you will enjoy. Janet Evanovich is a very descriptive writer.

I have loved the Plum series since I read the first book. True, this series has seen its share of ups and downs. Some books have been great, some good, and a few that were not so good... Still, I have loved them and I'm glad to say that I wasn't let down by this one.

The ending is great, and I felt alot better than the one from Ten Big Ones. The entire book is laugh out loud funny. Bottom line is if you're looking for a great, quick, funny, summer read pick this one up right now.

I can't wait until book 12 comes out next June.

If you have read the first 10 books in the series than you will love this one too. Consistently funny and easy to read. If you haven't read the rest of the series, than you should. Stephanie Plum is an independent strong willed woman with man trouble typical of any semi-single woman. It is a humorous series that grabs you from the beginning and makes a great beach read.

This one is worse than 10. Morelli should dump Stephanie she is such a pain, still going up and down on the same spot. Ranger and Stephanie deserve each other, she's an immature child and he is an egomaniac with big raps on himself. Janet Evanovich has also lost her touch with the humour in her books, I no longer find them funny because the situations are so repetative. I no longer buy the books, I wouldn't waster my money, I borrow them from the library. I only buy books that I feel are worth reading. It's a great pity because I really loved her early books, but unfortunately the only character that has shown any growth is Morelli. In an ongoing series characters have to grow and change otherwise they become very boring. Which is exactly what has happened with this series.

Eleven books after her 1994 debut, Stephanie Plum is still only 30 years old, with two men lusting after her. Of course, Plum also has killers on her trail - along with a serious donut addiction and frequent bad hair days. And, she lives in New Jersey. Then there are her cars, which any Evanovich fans knows get destroyed, one way or the other.

But this bounty hunter-heroine's plucky persona and humor - along with a cast of quirky (although somewhat clichéd) characters - definitely keep her at the top of the bestseller lists. This time, our vocationally-challenged lady has quit the biz but must still outrun a former client intent on murder. A fast-paced, entertaining read.

It was just in the last 1 1/2 yrs. that I discovered the Stephanie Plum series. My husband actually turned me onto it after hearing an audio version of "One for the Money." I started with book "One" and have read each book in order all the way through "Eleven on Top." And, this has to be one of my favorites. This story is LOL funny. All the charcters seem to reflect someone that each of us probley knows. And as sexy as Ranger may be, I am always routing for Joe Morelli. I can't wait for Stephanie, Lula, and Grandma Mazur to ride again in book 12. This has to be my favorite book series of all time.

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.

Janet has done it again! Written a fast paced, sexual tenison filled fun slighty mystery novel that anyone with an iota of a sense of humor should enjoy! If you are looking for something deep and with real forward charter movement this is not the series for you. But if you are looking for a fun fast paced good read that will make you laugh out loud this is the best series in years!!!! I can't decided who I am more in love with myself Ranger or Morelli. Part of me wants Stephanie to just settle down with Morelli and pop out a few cute Italian/Hungarian babies(after all the sex is good and he gets her need for donuts) the other part wants Ranger to tell her his secrets and let her love him for who he is. So hard to choose as Stephanie puts it, like choosing between birthday cake and a big boy margarita!!! Over the top for 11 on top !!!!

I was going to give this a one star rating, but then changed my mind and decided to give it three stars instead. The main reason being that for what this book is, it's okay. Not good, not bad, just okay.

There is always going to be a core fan base for this series of books, regardless of whether the books are good or not. Personally, I found this to be more of the same ole, same ole. I think I laughed once while reading this (which is less than I laughed while reading the last book, and I gave that a one star rating.) I'm sure most readers probably love the "sexual tension" in this one, but for me, I found it annoying, bordering on boring. The characters are the same, the story is the same, the laughs are the same, but if that's what Evanovich thinks appeals to the fans, and it appears as though she does, more power to her.

Another great one in the Stephanie Plum series. Keep them coming Janet!!!! I love the guessing between Ranger and Joe. And what Stephanie gets into- LOL, especially with her kooky family. Great Read. A must for the book shelf.

Recommend all of the Stephanie Plum series books.

This is only the second Stephanie Plum audio I've listened to.

After listening to the previous one I knew that if I ever saw another available (on the library shelf) I would listen to it. Hilarious and well read. Lorelei King's reading is a pure pleasure to listen to. It makes the commute to work enjoyable.

Highly recommended.

I've read all the stephanie books, though not in order and with different intervals between each reading. The first I read of hers I happened on by chance while scanning top ten lists and I loved it so much I had to read the rest. Eleven on Top is fantastic; it's amazing that evanovich never seems to run out of ideas for Stephanie. Her eleventh book about that one person!
And to new would be readers: don't be scared to start with this one, or whatever book of her plum seris you get your hands on first; regardless of what others say, evanovich gives enough info in every book to leave you feeling clued in, not out. Heck, I started on her tenth in this series, and I got hooked. And while reading it, I was never once confused. Ignore the damn order; enjoy them all, however you want.

I have to say that this is one of the best Stephanie Plum Books yet. I couldn't count how many times I actually laughed out loud.
I have recommended the Plum series to everyone, and I will continue to.
Janet Please keep them coming!!

Of course, why would Evanovich quit when she's making zillions? But this book is nothing more than a series of warmed-over Stephanie antics. I listened to discs one and two because I think the reader is so terrific, but I never would have read even that much. The first three books were extremely funny. Get some new schtik, please.

As a huge Plum fan I have read all 10 of the previous books. This book left me feeling a little bit disappointed though. Janet seems to be trying to stretch the Plum character in this book into something that seems ill fitting. The language was rougher than the previous novels and Morelli and Ranger were not nealy as involved as in previous books. There just did not seem to be the connection in this book that I felt in the others. The Plum novels are always fun and a good read however, I felt this one left me a little disconnected from Stephanie and her crazy life! Anticipating the 12th one already!

This was the first Stephenie Plum novel I ever read.
I actually got it from the dollar store. I was a little iffy when I heard of the series, awhile back, but when I caught one in the dollar store I thought, what the hell.

I loved this book. I laughed out loud many times.
After this one i had to buy the whole whole series, and I enjoyed ever single one. Some better than others.
Janet Evanovich is one of my favorite authors.

There's just no way that this installment was written by the same author that wrote one through about eight. Although the main characters have the same names as previous efforts, they are bad cardboard versions, especially Ranger; the constant use of the word, "Babe" in every sentence attributed to him was jarring and just bad writing, totally out of character.

I suspect that this installment was written by Ms. Evanovich's editor, to whom the book is dedicated "for all her efforts". A sad and irritating end to what was a joyful series.

To me, this book shows stephanie coming into her own. At Ten, I was thinking " end it already," but if the rest of the stories progress like EON i'll read it indefinetly. Lulu takes the lead as head Bounty after stephanie quits, changing their usual relationship. She's getting cooler aroung Ranger and can actually banter back( Dear Ms. Evanovich there is no such thing as to much Ranger.) There's plenty of Morelli, too. If your reading this series like a romance novel, this book will not provide you with the closure you so desperately seek, but if you read it as a series of the growth of Stepahnie Plum ( think sex and the jersey city): it's Plum and Evanovich getting on their game.

The best of the series yet. Had me laughing so hard, my wife had to kick me out of the kitchen so she could read her novel (she grabbed Eleven on Top next). Good plot, witty lines, a bit of extra steamy stuff. Everything one might want in mystery novel escapism.

WOW! Janet Evanovich has done it again. I was riding the train and I am sure my seat mate must have thought I had lost my mind. I laughed from DE to NYC. There are many discussions between my sister and I about which character is our favoriteI. The truth is I love all the characters in the Plum books. They are all as wacky as ever. Plum's mother was at her best. My only regret in reading this book was that when it was over all I could think of was " I have to wait a whole year till the next Stephanie Plum book."

You get the same storyline as you did in the first 10 books. Ranger is still mysterious, Stephanie is still confused and Morrelli is only thinking of one thing. The characters are all still funny but they are all doing the same thing in the same place. We need Stephanie to get married, maybe move, have kids, possibly go through police academy or something. I hate to give up on the series but if it continues like this, I see no reason to keep reading.

This is typical Evanovich. It's well written, fun to read and is best appreciated by women. Whenever my wife reads one of these books she howls with laughter (literally). When I read them, I chuckle. (and sometimes shake my head in amusement at the actions and reactions typical to females) Yes, these books are written by a female for females. But they are very well written and any male can and should read them if, for no other reason, to remind themsleves that women really are different.

.......you might like this book. It was too ridiculous for me and didn't even raise one smile or giggle on my part.

Why did I read it? Got me. I continue to read Miss Evanovich's books although I know better. Guess there's part of me that likes her work. Go figure.

I'm not sure how many times Janet Evanovich can use the same worn storyline before she loses all her fans. Sure, Grandma Mazur, the cars blowing up, the family dinners, the bad hair, etc. are all very funny the first time, but after reading about it for the eleventh time, I'm completely fed up. If this is the first Evanovich book you've read, I'm sure you'll love it. I just hope you love it enough to read the same exact story ten more times. She either needs to get new story material or put down her pen and give it a rest.

Another great winner for Evanovich. As other reviews have summarized it I won't do another. However I CAN tell you I watch for her books and as SOON as they are listed on the store.com I request them. I've read everyone and enjoy each as much as another. They are a quick read which means the visit with Stephanie and her zanny family/friends ends too soon for me but it leaves me always wanting more! The only drawback to her books is that I can not read them in public. I laugh out loud so much that it's an embarrassment. I can't recommend these books strongly enough!!

I can't believe that after 10 Plum fiascos, Janet Evanovich has done it again. Eleven on Top had me laughing so hard I had so many tears I had to stop reading for a while.

May Janet never stop writing about Stephanie Plum. She is a real hoot!! Wish television was as entertaining.

This series is great! I finished reading #11 in 2 days! I know...fast! haha. I think I like #11 the most so far! Safe to say the ending was unexpected! Plum Spooky is coming out in January 2009 and #15 is due out in June 2009!

I can't even believe how incredibly dull this one was! I loved 1 - 9, 10 was a little iffy, but 11 was awful! Stephanie is getting dull and stupid, I can't stand Ranger any longer - can he say anything more than "Babe"? Ever??? Lula is the only bright star in an otherwise dreary day of a book and even she got a little tiring. Just marry Morrelli, have accident prone kids, and be done with it!!!!

I am usually gushing with compliments about the Plum gang, but I will have tone it down with this latest installment. I waited for it to come out and like a good dessert that you have been saving calories ( or some of us points) for, it was short on da' flava'. In this book it seems the villian is less menacing, less disturbed and really he didn't keep me interested in who or why he was stalking Miss Plum. The comedy wasn't laugh out loud, near smiles maybe??? The big reveal at the end, really didn't make sense and I felt let down. Like that big "O" that seems to have eluded me once again. Damn!

I hope J. Evanovich will make it up to us in book twelve.

Eleven on Top is the funniest Stephanie Plum adventure so far.Stephanie breaks her own record for destroying cars in this novel! All of the usual cast of characters make an entrance. You can expect to giggle at least twice a page. Great light summer reading choice.

I have to say that this is one of the best Stephanie Plum Books yet. I couldn't count how many times I actually laughed out loud.
I have recommended the Plum series to everyone, and I will continue to.
Janet Please keep them coming!!

Of course, why would Evanovich quit when she's making zillions? But this book is nothing more than a series of warmed-over Stephanie antics. I listened to discs one and two because I think the reader is so terrific, but I never would have read even that much. The first three books were extremely funny. Get some new schtik, please.

As a huge Plum fan I have read all 10 of the previous books. This book left me feeling a little bit disappointed though. Janet seems to be trying to stretch the Plum character in this book into something that seems ill fitting. The language was rougher than the previous novels and Morelli and Ranger were not nealy as involved as in previous books. There just did not seem to be the connection in this book that I felt in the others. The Plum novels are always fun and a good read however, I felt this one left me a little disconnected from Stephanie and her crazy life! Anticipating the 12th one already!

This was the first Stephenie Plum novel I ever read.
I actually got it from the dollar store. I was a little iffy when I heard of the series, awhile back, but when I caught one in the dollar store I thought, what the hell.

I loved this book. I laughed out loud many times.
After this one i had to buy the whole whole series, and I enjoyed ever single one. Some better than others.
Janet Evanovich is one of my favorite authors.

There's just no way that this installment was written by the same author that wrote one through about eight. Although the main characters have the same names as previous efforts, they are bad cardboard versions, especially Ranger; the constant use of the word, "Babe" in every sentence attributed to him was jarring and just bad writing, totally out of character.

I suspect that this installment was written by Ms. Evanovich's editor, to whom the book is dedicated "for all her efforts". A sad and irritating end to what was a joyful series.

To me, this book shows stephanie coming into her own. At Ten, I was thinking " end it already," but if the rest of the stories progress like EON i'll read it indefinetly. Lulu takes the lead as head Bounty after stephanie quits, changing their usual relationship. She's getting cooler aroung Ranger and can actually banter back( Dear Ms. Evanovich there is no such thing as to much Ranger.) There's plenty of Morelli, too. If your reading this series like a romance novel, this book will not provide you with the closure you so desperately seek, but if you read it as a series of the growth of Stepahnie Plum ( think sex and the jersey city): it's Plum and Evanovich getting on their game.

The best of the series yet. Had me laughing so hard, my wife had to kick me out of the kitchen so she could read her novel (she grabbed Eleven on Top next). Good plot, witty lines, a bit of extra steamy stuff. Everything one might want in mystery novel escapism.

WOW! Janet Evanovich has done it again. I was riding the train and I am sure my seat mate must have thought I had lost my mind. I laughed from DE to NYC. There are many discussions between my sister and I about which character is our favoriteI. The truth is I love all the characters in the Plum books. They are all as wacky as ever. Plum's mother was at her best. My only regret in reading this book was that when it was over all I could think of was " I have to wait a whole year till the next Stephanie Plum book."

You get the same storyline as you did in the first 10 books. Ranger is still mysterious, Stephanie is still confused and Morrelli is only thinking of one thing. The characters are all still funny but they are all doing the same thing in the same place. We need Stephanie to get married, maybe move, have kids, possibly go through police academy or something. I hate to give up on the series but if it continues like this, I see no reason to keep reading.

This is typical Evanovich. It's well written, fun to read and is best appreciated by women. Whenever my wife reads one of these books she howls with laughter (literally). When I read them, I chuckle. (and sometimes shake my head in amusement at the actions and reactions typical to females) Yes, these books are written by a female for females. But they are very well written and any male can and should read them if, for no other reason, to remind themsleves that women really are different.

.......you might like this book. It was too ridiculous for me and didn't even raise one smile or giggle on my part.

Why did I read it? Got me. I continue to read Miss Evanovich's books although I know better. Guess there's part of me that likes her work. Go figure.

I'm not sure how many times Janet Evanovich can use the same worn storyline before she loses all her fans. Sure, Grandma Mazur, the cars blowing up, the family dinners, the bad hair, etc. are all very funny the first time, but after reading about it for the eleventh time, I'm completely fed up. If this is the first Evanovich book you've read, I'm sure you'll love it. I just hope you love it enough to read the same exact story ten more times. She either needs to get new story material or put down her pen and give it a rest.

Another great winner for Evanovich. As other reviews have summarized it I won't do another. However I CAN tell you I watch for her books and as SOON as they are listed on the store.com I request them. I've read everyone and enjoy each as much as another. They are a quick read which means the visit with Stephanie and her zanny family/friends ends too soon for me but it leaves me always wanting more! The only drawback to her books is that I can not read them in public. I laugh out loud so much that it's an embarrassment. I can't recommend these books strongly enough!!

I can't believe that after 10 Plum fiascos, Janet Evanovich has done it again. Eleven on Top had me laughing so hard I had so many tears I had to stop reading for a while.

May Janet never stop writing about Stephanie Plum. She is a real hoot!! Wish television was as entertaining.

This series is great! I finished reading #11 in 2 days! I know...fast! haha. I think I like #11 the most so far! Safe to say the ending was unexpected! Plum Spooky is coming out in January 2009 and #15 is due out in June 2009!

I can't even believe how incredibly dull this one was! I loved 1 - 9, 10 was a little iffy, but 11 was awful! Stephanie is getting dull and stupid, I can't stand Ranger any longer - can he say anything more than "Babe"? Ever??? Lula is the only bright star in an otherwise dreary day of a book and even she got a little tiring. Just marry Morrelli, have accident prone kids, and be done with it!!!!

I am usually gushing with compliments about the Plum gang, but I will have tone it down with this latest installment. I waited for it to come out and like a good dessert that you have been saving calories ( or some of us points) for, it was short on da' flava'. In this book it seems the villian is less menacing, less disturbed and really he didn't keep me interested in who or why he was stalking Miss Plum. The comedy wasn't laugh out loud, near smiles maybe??? The big reveal at the end, really didn't make sense and I felt let down. Like that big "O" that seems to have eluded me once again. Damn!

I hope J. Evanovich will make it up to us in book twelve.

Janet Evanovich is a wonderful writer and she does not disapoint in this book. Although the ending does get a little wacky. Stephanie is one of the funniest characters that has ever come along. This is a very funny book, and series. Its easy fun reading. Read this book and the whole series, for a time filled with laughter and fun.

This is a very light, uncomplicated story with some silly aspects. Works well for reading on the beach or long airplane flight. Stephanie does not really appeal to me, and the two men in her life seem to like her for only one reason, and that's understandable.

Stephanie has decided being a bounty hunter is too dangerous, so she quits her job working for Cousin Vinnie and tries to find something safer. After working for the button factory (fired before she even starts work), a dry cleaners, and Kluck-in-a-Bucket, she finally ends up working for Ranger. However, someone is still trying to kill her, and her cars are getting blown up at an alarming rate.

Also, her sister Valerie is getting married, and Stephanie is expeetec to walk up the aisle dressed in eggplant. And for no very good reason she has told her family that she can play the cello (she can't) and they are expecting her to play it at the wedding. And then she decides she is going to give up eating sugar, could things get any worse?

There are a lot of funny scenes, my favourite is the one where Grandma Mazur and Grandma Bella hav a fight (in the funeral parlour, where else?). However, I found myself slightly less gripped by this one than by the previous volumes. Maybe it's because she's not a bounty hunter any more, but there seemed to be less excitement and suspense than in the other stories. And I found the denoument too preposterous to believe. Also I found myself wondering how much longer she can keep stringing Morelli along without making a committment, before he just gets fed up with her.

Never mind, you don't read a Stephanie Plum novel for the realism, you read it for the laughs, and there are plenty of those, more than you get with most other authors anyway.

Of course, I had to read "Eleven on Top" today. I can't remember ever not finishing a new Janet Evanovich novel the first day I got one. "Eleven's" no different!

"Eleven" is different from its predecessors in that Stephanie Plum actually takes the advice of I've lost count how many people and quits her bounty hunter job in search of a real job. She's lucky--she gets the first job she applies for at the button factory, and the second with a local dry cleaners, and the with a fast-food chicken franchise "Cluck in a Bucket"....all with disastrously funny results.

THe triangle between Steph, Joe Morelli, and Ranger is throbbing with tension. This is particularly so since Stephanie ends up working for Ranger at Rangeman Security--to keep safe. Which hunk is going to claim Steph this time--and for how long? I'm not telling!

Steph is also being stalked by someone who tells her she thought they were dead. They attack with bullets, fire....Meanwhile, Steph, Ranger, and Joe are all looking for four Trenton men who have disappeared with their cars on the same day. This plotline is a real mystery folks and had me guessing all the way through the book. Definitely a great addition to the Plum series....

Oh yeah, and the laughs keep on coming. Your favorites are here: Grandma Mazur, the eighty year old teenager, the prospective brother-in-law Albert Kloughn...

All the Stephanie books are better than Prozac and almost as good as chocolate to cheer a person up.

Evanovich is right: "Eleven" is DEFINITELY on top.

You just don't get any better than a Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum book! My only complaint is that we don't get them often enough! I just can't get enough of these characters. This book is just another cherry on top for me! A great read for anyone wanting excitement, romance and a good laugh! You can't go wrong with this one.