Stephanie Plum is all set to give her suspects a good talking to because things are getting messy. She’s not afraid to dig deep and uncover the hidden truth. With her keen eye for detail and determination to get to the bottom of things, Stephanie is like a detective on a mission. She’ll leave no stone unturned and won’t back down until she gets some answers. So get ready for a thrilling ride as Stephanie fearlessly dives into the depths of mystery and intrigue.
Guess who’s back for her thirtieth thrilling adventure? It’s none other than our favorite bounty hunter heroine from Janet Evanovich’s popular series. Prepare to be captivated all over again by this numerically titled novel, scheduled to be released on October 31st, just in time to give readers some spooky thrills for the season.
In this gripping and action-packed adventure, we are introduced to Stephanie Plum, a tenacious protagonist who finds herself in pursuit of a motley crew of fugitives. From a cunning jewel thief on the loose to an exhilarating recliner-bound chase, Dirty Thirty keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Hold on tight as Stephanie’s escapades involve high-speed car chases, unconventional cocktails known as whiskytinis, intense explosions and fires, heart-stopping cliffhangers, and a race against time to recover stolen jewels. This thrilling story is sure to captivate readers with its combination of mystery, danger, and unexpected twists. So, get ready for a wild ride as Stephanie Plum takes you on an unforgettable journey filled with excitement and intrigue.
Stephanie finds herself faced with an interesting freelance task, and without much hesitation, she agrees to take it on. The request comes from a local jeweler named Martin Rabner, who needs her help in locating his ex-security guard, known as Andy Manley or “Nutsy.” Martin suspects that Nutsy has absconded with a valuable stash of diamonds from his safe. However, the plot thickens when another suspect enters the scene – Duncan Dugan, a wanted criminal who was arrested for robbing the same jewelry store on the very same day. As if Stephanie’s hands weren’t already full, she’s also dealing with an oversized, car-destroying orange dog named Bob, who belongs to her boyfriend, Morelli. Despite the chaos, Stephanie reluctantly finds herself partnering with a security expert named Ranger when things start spiraling out of control. To make matters even more complicated, Ranger has a tendency to insert himself into Stephanie’s life with a mysterious intensity.
Stephanie finds herself caught in a whirlwind of perplexity when her closest companion, Lula, becomes convinced that a fictional demon is secretly tracking her and plotting to snatch away her cherished clothing collection. As the number of victims increases and potential witnesses mysteriously vanish, Stephanie fearlessly immerses herself in the chaos, resorting to unconventional methods to apprehend the culprit(s). In this intense pursuit, Stephanie must explore the depths of the unknown and employ every possible tactic to put an end to the menacing threat. Are you ready to dive into this thrilling adventure alongside Stephanie and witness her relentless pursuit of justice?
Plum made her debut in the novel One for the Money in 1995, and later brought her adventurous spirit to the big screen in 2012 with the film adaptation starring Katherine Heigl.
In anticipation of the book’s arrival just in time for Halloween, EW presents an exciting sneak peek of the opening chapter. Join Stephanie as she embarks on a thrilling pursuit of a suspect who uncannily resembles Charlie Brown. Get ready for a tantalizing preview of the sensational Dirty Thirty. Keep reading to dive into the intriguing world of this captivating story!
Hey there! I’m Stephanie Plum, a true Jersey girl through and through. I proudly graduated from Rutgers University, but you know what’s funny? I’ve somehow managed to become a successful underachiever. How? Well, I work as a recovery agent at Vincent Plum Bail Bonds. My job is to track down those sorry losers who have skipped out on their bond. It’s like a thrilling game of cat and mouse, and let me tell you, I’m damn good at it. So, if you’re ever in a pickle and in need of some bond hunting skills, I’m your gal!
About thirty minutes ago, I overheard a police conversation discussing the unusual behavior of Duncan Dugan in a downtown office building. Now, Dugan is a significant suspect who failed to appear in court. He stands accused of forcefully robbing a jewelry store on King Street with a gun, narrowly missing a crossing guard as he attempted to escape, and leading an intense pursuit involving seven police cars until he ran out of fuel. Given my assignment to track down Dugan and bring him back to face the legal consequences, I hurried to the location accompanied by my colleague Lula. As I arrived, I spotted Dugan on a ledge on the fourth floor. He had a slightly overweight build, short brown hair, and his eyes were concealed behind aviator sunglasses. From his arrest record, I knew he was thirty-six years old and measured five foot ten, but he appeared younger up there on the edge. Strangely enough, he bore a resemblance to Charlie Brown, possibly because he was wearing a yellow and black, three-button knit shirt reminiscent of Charlie Brown’s distinctive style. He pressed himself against the front of the building, peering down at the crowd that had gathered beneath him.
“He’s about to take the plunge,” Lula informed me. “I have a feeling he’s the type who just can’t resist jumping.”
In the vicinity, the atmosphere was teeming with law enforcement officers. Not only were fire trucks and ambulances present, but also a satellite news truck had taken its position in close proximity. The midday hour had arrived, prompting the evacuation of the customers from the outdoor dining space connected to the café within the building.
Lula expressed her thoughts, indicating that the situation might be partially attributed to your actions, as he is aware of your pursuit. It is possible that he harbors a reluctance to end up in incarceration. Perhaps you should vocalize your message to him, reassuring him that imprisonment is not as dreadful as it seems. Inform him that it offers the benefit of complimentary lodgings and meals, as well as the opportunity to forge new connections with fellow inmates.
“I ain’t shouting that up to him,” I remarked. “That’s just insane.” Lula chimed in, “Well, maybe it sounds wild, but could it be real?”
Indeed, that’s correct.
“Wow,” exclaimed Lula, her voice filled with surprise. “That’s what I call the complete package.”
On a pleasant October day in Trenton, New Jersey, the sky boasted its bluest hue, radiated under the illuminating sun. I had opted for a casual ensemble, donning jeans, sneakers, and a cozy hooded sweatshirt over my form-fitting V-neck tee. Meanwhile, my companion, Lula, had confidently embraced her unique style, strutting her stuff in thigh-high boots with striking heels. However, as usual, she had managed to squeeze her curvaceous figure into a spandex dress designed for a much smaller individual. Her hair was fashionably frizzed into a voluminous puffball, and her false lashes resembled furry black caterpillars. In terms of appearances, Lula and I differed; she being a person of color, and I being less blessed in that regard.
I have blue eyes, and my hair is naturally curly, brown, and falls to my shoulders. When it comes to styling, I lack the patience to straighten it or create glamorous waves with a blow dryer, so I usually keep it in a ponytail. But that’s okay because I compensate by wearing lip gloss and always sporting a smile. As for Lula, she confidently rocks a short dress and voluminous lashes, owning her unique style. And let me tell you, it absolutely works for her. On those great days, she looks absolutely amazing.
The bustling crowd cleared a path as a determined woman made her way through, finally emerging onto the busy street. Judging by her appearance, I estimated her to be in her thirties. It struck me that if Duncan resembled Charlie Brown, then this woman must be his friend Lucy. With her sleek, almost black hair fashioned into a neat bob adorned with short bangs, she exuded a no-nonsense attitude. Donning a chic blue shirtwaist dress and comfortable blue running shoes, she exuded both style and practicality simultaneously.
“Oh, Dugan, what on earth are you doing?” she shouted with frustration towards Duncan. “You clueless goofball!”
Dugan expressed his decision with determination, stating, “I’m gonna take the leap. I messed up big time. There’s no going back. I’m choosing to end it all with this jump.”
Oh, you should definitely dive headfirst! After all, you’re barely on the fourth floor. But be careful, if you don’t land correctly, you could end up with multiple fractures or even become paralyzed. So, it’s crucial to take into account the angle and technique when taking the plunge.
I have this deep fear of heights. There’s something about being up high that just unnerves me. It’s like my comfort zone has a hard limit, and that limit is the fourth floor. Anything beyond that, and I start to feel uneasy. It’s as if my body is instinctively telling me, “Nope, this is as high as we’re willing to go, buddy.” It’s funny how we all have our own limits, right?
“Hey, there’s a way for you to join me down here! Just climb through the window right beside you,” the woman shouted up at him.
“I’m heading straight for prison.”
No worries, my uncle Fritz had a stint in jail once, and surprisingly, he didn’t find it too shabby. He had a place to crash and meals served on the house, plus an opportunity to connect with a bunch of cool new pals. Can you imagine that?
Did Fritz actually say that?
Well, it’s not going to be forever, but hey, we can still have a good chat in the meantime!
“What could be the topic of our conversation?” “Oh, just anything and everything under the sun.”
Glancing towards the window, he expressed his concern, “I really don’t fancy ending up with fractured bones.”
“Lula exclaimed, urging me to consider the missed opportunity of being the hero by being the first to inform him about the importance of making friends in jail. She commended the clever inclusion of the broken bones element. Startled, Dugan abruptly turned towards the window, but unfortunately, his foot lost its grip, causing him to plummet from the ledge. A collective gasp escaped from the onlookers as Dugan dramatically crashed through the yellow and white awning, resembling a heavy sack of wet cement hitting the pavement below.”
I don’t usually pass out, but I almost fainted when I heard the sound of him being struck. It was so intense that I had to bend over, take a deep breath, and battle with the feeling of sickness in my stomach. As I stood back up, I saw Dugan being attended to by paramedics and surrounded by police officers.
Lula inquired if I believed he was alright, to which I responded negatively, stating that he was far from being okay.
“Lula pointed out the arrival of a stretcher, suggesting that it could indicate a positive development. Isn’t that intriguing?”
Dugan raised one of his arms and playfully waved his finger, assuring everyone that he was alright, at least to some extent. “I’m alright,” he stated, but there was a hint of uncertainty in his voice.
After Dugan sent out a wave and shared a message, the crowd began to disperse. However, Lula and I chose to stay behind. A woman in the crowd, who had previously shouted up to Dugan, approached the outer edge of the first responders. She lingered there for a few minutes before eventually leaving.
Jerry Fisher, one of the men I recognized, came to Dugan’s aid alongside the paramedics. Together, they carefully lifted Dugan onto the waiting stretcher, preparing to transport him to the waiting ambulance. It’s moments like these that make you realize the crucial role these dedicated professionals play in saving lives.
I hollered over at Jerry, demanding to know where he was whisking away our mysterious guest. The burning question consumed me, my curiosity ignited by the enigmatic circumstances. In an informal and engaged manner, I sought to unravel the perplexing situation. Leaning towards a conversational tone, I dived headfirst into the query, urging Jerry to divulge the destination. With active voice, rhetorical inquiries, and a touch of simplicity, I demanded clarity. “Where are you taking him?” I bellowed, eager for an explanation.
As I turned to face him, he greeted me with a friendly wave. “Hey, check out the medical center over there,” he said enthusiastically.
I showed my approval by giving him a thumbs-up, and then Lula and I strolled along the street towards my car.