Stephanie Plum returns in another adventure, though this one is a bit less of a mystery than the other books in the series. While she is still striving to be the best bond enforcement agent (aka bounty hunter) she can be, her primary focus is helping out her cousin Vinnie, who has been kidnapped and being held for ransom. Not only is Vinnie a relative, he is also her boss and is quite the slimy wretch.

Stephanie is joined by Lula, former ho and office filer, and Connie, Vinnie's office manager, in trying to figure out what is going on in order to help free Vinnie. All this is done while also trying to bring in Stephanie's usual roster of broken bonds.

As Stephanie and the gang bungle their way to the truth of what is going on, they also realize that they are coming up against the mob in the form of Bobby Sunflower and a pet alligator. Stephanie, Connie, and Lula put there noses to the grindstone to get the job done.

Stephanie's world wouldn't be what it is without the quirky cast of background characters including love interests Morelli and Ranger, her Grandma Mazer, Mooser the druggie, and a gaggle of hobbits. Evanovich rises to the occasion with her usual fun humor that keeps the story moving even as it seems to lack any meat in the form of a major plot. As a result, the book is an enjoyable addition of the to the series, but it seems to really lack a good plot line, forcing the characters to lurch from one funny scene to the next with familiar setups from previous books. If you like the series, you will probably like the book, but it is not one to rush out and read or buy.