One for the Money, 1 - (Stephanie Plum) by Janet Evanovich

About the Book

This explosive debut novel--sold to Tri Star Pictures for six figures--introduces Stephanie Plum, bounty hunter. Stephanie's assignment is to nail Joe Morelli, a former vice cop charged with murder--and the man who took her virginity at age 16. Powerful chemistry still exists between the two, making for one of the most original mysteries of the season.

Book Synopsis

Discover where it all began--the first "snappily written, fast-paced, and witty" (USA TODAY) novel in the beloved Stephanie Plum series featuring a feisty and funny heroine who "comes roaring in like a blast of very fresh air" (The Washington Post), from Janet Evanovich, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dirty Thirty.

Meet Stephanie Plum, a bounty hunter with attitude. In Stephanie's opinion, toxic waste, rabid drivers, armed schizophrenics, and August heat, humidity, and hydrocarbons are all part of the great adventure of living in Jersey.

She's a product of the "burg," a blue-collar pocket of Trenton where houses are attached and narrow, cars are American, windows are clean, and (God forbid you should be late) dinner is served at six.

Out of work and out of money, Stephanie blackmails her bail-bondsman cousin Vinnie into giving her a try as an apprehension agent. Stephanie knows zilch about the job requirements, but she figures her new pal, el-primo bounty hunter Ranger, can teach her what it takes to catch a crook. Her first assignment: nail Joe Morelli, a former vice cop on the run from a charge of murder one. Morelli's the inamorato who charmed Stephanie out of her virginity at age sixteen. There's still powerful chemistry between them, so the chase should be interesting...and could also be extremely dangerous.

From the Back Cover

Watch out, world. Here comes Stephanie Plum, a bounty hunter with attitude. In Stephanie's opinion, toxic waste, rabid drivers, armed schizophrenics, and August heat, humidity, and hydrocarbons are all part of the great adventure of living in Jersey. She's a product of the "burg," a blue-collar pocket of Trenton where houses are attached and narrow, cars are American, windows are clean, and (God forbid you should be late) dinner is served at six. Now Stephanie's all grown up and out on her own, living five miles from Mom and Dad's, doing her best to sever the world's longest umbilical cord. Her mother is a meddler, and her grandmother is a few cans short of a case. Out of work and out of money, with her Miata repossessed and her refrigerator empty, Stephanie blackmails her bail bondsman cousin, Vinnie, into giving her a try as an apprehension agent. Stephanie knows zilch about the job requirements, but she figures her new pal, fearless bounty hunter Ranger, can teach her what it takes to catch a crook. Her first assignment: nail Joe Morelli, a former vice cop on the run from a charge of murder one. Morelli is also the irresistible macho pig who took Stephanie's virginity at age sixteen and then wrote the details on the bathroom wall of Mario's Sub Shop. There's still powerful chemistry between these two, so the chase should be interesting. It could also be extremely dangerous, especially when Stephanie encounters a heavyweight title contender who likes to play rough. Benito Ramirez is known for his brutality to women. At the very least, his obsession with Stephanie complicates her manhunt and brings terror and uncertainty into her life. At worst, it could lead to murder. Witty, fresh, and full of surprises, One for the Money is among the most eagerly awaited crime novels of the season.

Review Quotes

Dean James manager, Murder by the Book, Houston, and coauthor of By a Woman's Hand Evanovich has a smooth, funny style, spacing thrills and laughs for maximum effect. Mark Evanovich and Plum down on your must-read list!

Deborah Crombie author of All Shall Be Well What a great read! I couldn't put it down. It's fast and funny...Stephanie Plum's attitude is as refreshing as a cold wind on a blistering New Jersey day. She's a believably vulnerable heroine who doesn't need to be rescued by a man, even one as sexy as Joe Morelli.

Jerome Doolittle author of Headlock Funny, unsentimental, tough and touching all at once. I hope we see a lot more of Stephanie Plum.

Marlys Millhiser author of Death of the Office Witch Finally, something fresh and different! Stephanie Plum is an original and One for the Money is a great series debut.

Nora Roberts bestselling author of Private Scandals Stephanie Plum is destined to join ranks with Kinsey Millhone and Carlotta Carlyle. Janet Evanovich has crafted a heroine for today, tough, vulnerable, resourceful, and impulsive.

Senator William S. Cohen author of Murder in the Senate A fast-paced, gritty mystery....Janet Evanovich is a witty and clever voice in crime fiction.

Joan Hess author of the Claire Malloy and the Maggody series This is one gritty romp, to put it mildly. Stephanie Plum has not only a hilarious family and some very peculiar associates, but also a wicked sense of humor, a healthy libido, and the tenacity to tackle the most appalling thug to swagger down the streets of Trenton.

Judith Greber, a.k.a. Gillian Roberts author of the Amanda Pepper series With Stephanie Plum, New Jersey has struck gold. Janet Evanovich is a formidable writer who can turn even pollution into endearing local color -- and this is an outstanding debut. I can't wait for the sequel.

About the Author

Over the last twenty-six years, Janet Evanovich has written a staggering forty-five New York Times bestsellers. In addition to her #1 bestselling Stephanie Plum novels and many other popular books, Janet is the author of The Recovery Agent, the start of a blockbuster new series.