Janet Evanovich fans are probably aware she has a new book coming out this week. Wicked Appetite is the first in the Unmentionables series, featuring Diesel and Carl the monkey from the Between-the-Numbers books. For those not familiar with Evanovich’s work, she writes a series of books about a bounty hunter named Stephanie Plum, and each book’s title contains a number, e.g. One For the Money. Every so often, Evanovich publishes a Between-the-Numbers book, which is a novella featuring Diesel, a big blonde guy with special powers, or enhanced abilities as he calls them.
Now Diesel has his own series, along with Lizzie, expert cupcake maker with the ability to find enchanted objects, Carl, a monkey with the tendency to give the finger, and Cat 7143, a one-eyed ninja cat that used to belong to Lizzie’s great-aunt. Diesel is on the hunt for stones representing the Seven Deadly Sins, and must protect Lizzie from Gerewulf Grimoire, his cousin with a much more sinister reason for wanting the stones. In Wicked Appetite, they are searching for the gluttony stone, and the road to the stone is littered with junk food, odd collections and other forms of gluttony.
Fans of the Stephanie Plum books will recognize Evanovich’s style – the bumbling heroine, her hulky partner/bodyguard, the comedic sexual tension, the slapstick comedy. But as Evanovich herself once told EW.com, “If you want to cry, you’re not going to like my books. If you want a really good plot, you’re not going to like my plots. My books have pizza and cussing and sexy guys.” If you are a fan of the Plum books, then you’ll like Wicked Appetite. Look for a new Unmentionables book every September.
Notes on the Audiobook
The audiobook is narrated by Lorelei King, who has also read the last few Plum novels, along with novels by Sue Grafton and Patricia Cornwell. Ms. King has been described as ‘the best known American voice on radio 4,’ having recorded more than 200 programs for the BBC. I was also surprised to learn that she voices Wendy and Packer in Bob the Builder. She did a great job with Wicked Appetite, although her “southern” accent for Lizzie, who is from Fairfax, VA, and Lizzie’s boss Clara, a Boston-area native, left a little to be desired.
I’ve only read the first 7 of the Plum novels, all on audiobook. I find the pace of the books, along with the comedic elements, are perfect for an audiobook. I just sit back and enjoy the story, instead of getting impatient because I can read faster than the narrator speaks, like I do at times with audiobooks.
Nancy thinks gluttony is one of the more fun Deadly Sins. She writes about her 2 boys and life in Colorado at Life With My Boys.
I’ve never read anything by JE, but I’ve got to say that I appreciate her frankness about her style of writing!
Fabulously written review, Nancy!
I’ve always been a fan of the Stephanie Plum series but hadn’t decided if I wanted to read this new series yet. I’ll have to pick this one up soon!
I love the stephanie plum series. I have just heard about this new one. I can’t wait to read it.
I’m reading Wicked Appetite as we speak and am enjoying it. The style is pure Evanovich, but she seems to work hard to give these characters odd, fun personalities that are not too reminiscent of the Plum book characters. There are similarities, but there are lots of differences too. Carl cracks me up. There is one scene where Carl gives Lizzie’s father the finger. You know it’s coming. It’s what Carl does! But when I read it, I literally laughed aloud. I love the “fluff” nature of Evanovich’s books, but they’re also full of character and wit. I’m proud to be a JE junkie!