Top Secret Twenty-One: The Stephanie Plum Novel

Written by Janet Evanovich

Narrated by Lorelei King

Catch a professional assassin: top priority. Find a failure-to-appear and collect big bucks: top score. How she'll pull it all off: top secret.

Trenton, New Jersey's favorite used-car dealer, Jimmy Poletti, was caught selling a lot more than used cars out of his dealerships. Now he's out on bail and has missed his date in court, and bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is looking to bring him in. Leads are quickly turning into dead ends, and all too frequently into dead bodies. Even Joe Morelli, the city's hottest cop, is struggling to find a clue to the suspected killer's whereabouts.

These are desperate times, and they call for desperate measures. So Stephanie is going to have to do something she really doesn't want to do: protect former hospital security guard and general pain in her behind Randy Briggs. Briggs was picking up quick cash as Poletti's bookkeeper and knows all his boss' dirty secrets. Now Briggs is next on Poletti's list of people to put six feet under. To top things off, Ranger - resident security expert and Stephanie's greatest temptation - has been the target of an assassination plot. He's dodged the bullet this time, but if Ranger wants to survive the next attempt on his life, he'll have to enlist Stephanie's help and reveal a bit more of his mysterious past.

Death threats, highly trained assassins, highly untrained assassins, and Stark Street being overrun by a pack of feral Chihuahuas are all in a day's work for Stephanie Plum. The real challenge is dealing with her Grandma Mazur's wild bucket list. A boob job and getting revenge on Joe Morelli's Grandma Bella can barely hold a candle to what's number one on the list - but that's top secret.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hachette UK Audio
• Release date: Jun 17, 2014
• ISBN: 9781472216755

Janet Evanovich

Bestselling author Janet Evanovich is the winner of the New Jersey Romance Writers Golden Leaf Award and multiple Romantic Times awards, including Lifetime Achievement. She is also a long-standing member of RWA.

Reviews for Top Secret Twenty-One

[micareads · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was one of the better Stephanie Plum novels...it had me laughing and smiling throughout the book. Grandma Mazur had a fantastic storyline in this one. I also enjoyed that Stephanie spent most of the book working on something serious with Ranger. The only reason I didn't give the story more stars is that fact that the back and forth with Ranger and Morelli is getting old. Stephanie needs to make a choice and decide what she wants.

[angelalam-300700 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Funny, lighthearted read.

[ftbooklover · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Janet Evanovich does it again. There are very few authors who can make me laugh out loud while I'm reading, but she never fails to do so. Stephanie Plum's on-again off-again relationship with the men in her life takes an interesting twist when the tables are turned and Stephanie has to help Ranger with danger that is stalking his life. As always, a well written story with witty dialogue and unique characters.

[skaene-414056 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

There is one thing that can be considered a spoiler in these novels, and that's if/when Stephanie finally sleeps with Ranger. After that, nothing spectacularly new happens. I'd add more, but Yvonne is pretty much dead on.

[sdramsey-298717 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Although this book was fun as usual, I did find it a little weaker, plot-wise, than some of the earlier books. The characters are in their usual form and there's lots going on, but I didn't find the ending as satisfying as I generally do. However, if you're looking for a light and fun mystery and a visit with some favorite characters, it does the job nicely.

[hemlokgang · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

There were definitely some chuckles, fun appearances by all the favorite characters, and the usual blown up cars in this 22nd Stephanie Plum novel. However, I wish the Ranger/Morelli dilemma would resolve. Overall, good, but not my favorite.

[payday1999-430350 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.5/5 Rating

This was better than the last few stories, it felt like a classic Stephanie plum novel. I laughed and enjoyed the book overall. All the characters are great.

Only thing I wish is for the author to shake things up a bit. She has 21 novels and it's still the same. Stephanie is still in the same place, she should do something to incorporate something new for her. Either advance her character to be something more, several people in the novels have advanced, Ranger used to be a bounty hunter, now he runs his own operation, Morelli has matured and is living in his own house with a dog.

Another thing the author could move forward is finally making a decision on Morelli or Ranger, they are in the same place, regarding the love triangle, and have been for a long while.

So far the humor of the books and characters have kept me around but I think if she doesn't shake things up a bit that it might stagnant her novels, at least for me. I have stopped reading other book series for that same thing.

[glennis.leblanc · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I know these books are formulaic but they are silly fun. Stephanie for once helps out Ranger almost as much as he helps her out in the books. A cute entertaining read and yes I'll read the next one and more than likely the one after that.

[jonimfisher · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another suspenseful romp in the Stephanie Plum series. Full of surprises, especially the top secret part. Hilarious!

[readingover50 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another fun installment in the Stephanie Plum series. This almost felt like two separate books. First the hunt for Jimmy Poletti, and second the hunt for Ranger's nemesis. Yep, in this one Ranger has a nemesis, an old acquaintance who is currently trying to destroy Ranger, plus carry off other evil plans. So, this book has a lot of Ranger in it. Randy Briggs is also back, along with a pack of chihuahuas. This book was fast and easy to read, and very entertaining.

[carlathelibrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another quick fun read by Janet Evanovich. I love the characters in this series and always enjoy the Stephanie Plum books. This one took on a little more serious issue with chemical terrorism, but reeled it in before it became too serious.

[polywogg · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

BOTTOM-LINE:Didn't feel much like a Plum novel.PLOT OR PREMISE:Stephanie is looking for a car dealer named Poletti and nobody seems to be missing him or know anything, except Randy Briggs who needs Poletti in jail.WHAT I LIKED:The plot at least amps up this time to include human trafficking. And when someone starts eliminating loose ends, the threat quotient goes up..WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:A sub-story with a consulate was ludicrous, and the overall ending way over-the-top..DISCLOSURE:I received no compensation, not even a free copy, in exchange for this review. I am not personal friends with the author, nor do I follow her on social media.

[nebula21-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Another enjoyable read with a few laughs. There was some character development in this book but the Morelli/Ranger thing is getting a bit tired.

[shelled11 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Still love these books. Yes it's a bit repetitive, but they make me laugh :)

[mrslabraden · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Janet Evanovich does it again. There are very few authors who can make me laugh out loud while I'm reading, but she never fails to do so. Stephanie Plum's on-again off-again relationship with the men in her life takes an interesting twist when the tables are turned and Stephanie has to help Ranger with danger that is stalking his life. As always, a well written story with witty dialogue and unique characters.

[gaill_25 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good Cozy Mystery, but had enough of Stephanie...thankful that Janet Evanovich has moved on to books with Lee Goldberg.:-)

[whybehave2002 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What do a little person, 10 Chihuahuas and monkey underpants have in common? Did you really have to think about it?! Love this series!

[debnance_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I got a little behind on the Stephanie Plum mysteries, so I got to enjoy two Plums this summer. Enjoy is a good word when it comes to the Plums. You aren't going to take away any great insights from these stories. You aren't going to rethink your life. You aren't going to learn any new ideas. It's okay. These books are all about getting lost in a fun ride and hanging with some zany folks for a couple of hours. So, enjoy.

[terris-7 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

These books are always fun! After twenty-one of them, they sometimes become repetitive...but you always know what to expect! And when I'm in the mood for something light and fun, I always go back to Stephanie Plum and the crew of misfits :)

[auntie0nanuuq · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A mobster has jumped bail, bail that was posted by Ranger's cousin.... After Stephanie & Ranger apprehend him, he is taken to Rangeman for security reasons, while secured at Rangeman, he takes out a canister of highly poisonous nuclear poison and attempts to close down Ranger & Rangeman. However, the nuclear poison only affects one person, and that is the mobster.

Before dying the mobster tells Stephanie that he was paid to do it, it was a "practice" run and describes the man who paid him to take out Ranger & Rangeman....

A High Level Russian psychotic from Ranger's past in Korea is out to take down Ranger and a High Ranking Russian Official at a Vodka Convention in Atlantic City.

Meanwhile Stephanie is out to enforce bond on a used car salesman, whose, cronies are turning up dead.... His accountant, Briggs's has been firebombed, so Briggs ends up staying w/ Stephanie and is now bait for the car salesman......

More bodies pile up, Lula does her best to help Stephanie, Morelli moves Stephanie in w/ him, Grandma Mazur gets even w/ Grandma Bella......

I only laughed out loud once, but I smiled throughout most of the entire book.

This was a book that held my interest, it only took 2-3 hours to read, and I was satisfied with the story as well as the ending....

[jenniferrobb · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Better than its predecessor in the series but not quite as funny as some of the early ones in the series. I like that Stephanie did not have as many fails at getting her FTAs as she usually does, yet the author was still able to put some humor into the apprehensions that Stephanie had to do.

[olivermagnus · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Life is never dull for bounty hunter Stephanie Plum. Her long time boyfriend, sexy cop Joe Morelli, is ready to take their relationship to the next level but a big part of Stephanie still lusts after Ranger, the owner of a security firm that she sometimes works for. Her day job is working a bond enforcement agent for her Uncle Vinnie with Lula, who wears clothes way too small for her and whose chief hobby is figuring out when her next meal is. Stephanie and Lula are tasked with bringing in a Trenton car dealer named Jimmy Poletti who sells more than just cars. Soon several people who worked with Poletti start to turn up dead. His accountant, an annoying little man named Briggs who knows all his secrets, begs Stephanie to protect him. She agrees, but wherever she tries to hide him, trouble follows. Before long someone tries to kill Ranger and his team using a radioactive device. Disaster is sure to follow Stephanie as she tries to solve the mystery. A cute side plot has Stephanie's Grandma Mazur, trying to check off items on her bucket list, which includes seeing Ranger naked and getting even with Joe's Grandma Bella who has given her the “evil” eye.

I haven't read the last three or four books in this series because I felt like the author was writing the same story over and over again and the characters never seemed to change. I though this was a fun novel and I believe Evanovich is trying to expand the characters a bit in this one. It's the definition of a guilty pleasure read so if you're looking for a laugh with some pretty funny characters I recommend Top Secret Twenty One.

[cygnet81 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I was confused by the end about who did what.

[terribooks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

More Stephanie Plum, her escapades, her friends, and her men. There's really not much more to say. If you like her, on it goes. I think it's hilarious - I probably spent too many years in New Jersey.

[dd196406 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Evanovich and Stephanie Plum are always entertaining. This entry took some pages from the headlines with terrorists and an international assassin causing mayhem. And of course, vehicles were blown up, as we always expect with Stephanie. A fun and pleasing beach read! Recommend it!

[addictedtomorphemes · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Top Secret Twenty-One by Janet EvanovichStephanie Plum series #21Another same-old but fun installment of this series, recycling the same tropes as before. This does, however, have more Ranger time which is always more interesting because the villains are usually more dangerous when he's around.In re to the Ranger vs. Morelli debate: I've always leaned toward Ranger just because he's the tougher, more mysterious one. Twenty-one strengthens my opinion that he's the one Steph should choose out of the two of them. Whenever she is in danger, Ranger's there. He knows her and plans ahead in order to protect her (extra monitoring devices planted in her clothing, etc., when he knows she could be in danger). He shows real concern for her. Morelli is concerned as well, but there were a couple instances in this particular book where Stephanie has direct threats aimed at her and Morelli left right after to go do other things, including building a playset with a family member, whereas Ranger made sure she had bodyguards, etc.Ranger also brought up the subject of marriage to Stephanie in this one, whereas I feel she and Morelli are just lumbering along.Grandma Mazur is still funny, but the short amount of time she appears isn't worth the cost of admission. Janet would do better off to do more spin-offs featuring her. (I think there are already some out there, but I read them before the Plum series and didn't realize she was connected, so I'm not positive about that.)It's time for Evanovich to finish this series and come up with a new idea. At this point, it is insulting in that it is such an obvious money grab from her readers.

[seasonsoflove_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love the Stephanie Plum series. They are guaranteed to make me laugh out loud, and feel good, no matter what else is going on in life at that moment.This entry in the series is no exception.Top Secret Twenty-One has Stephanie attempting to bring in a few interesting people who missed their court dates, including a man who thinks he is Gru from Despicable Me and has a pack of "minion" chihuahuas. Her hilarious grandmother is running around trying to knock items off her bucket list-including throwing pies. Her apartment and cars keep getting blown up. Bodies keep turning up, ruining the brand new rug. And there is a dangerous criminal out there with his sights set on Stephanie.

[reneebooks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This one is probably the best Stephanie Plum I have read in several years.

[mlake_22 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A typical Stephanie Plum novel. A fun fast read with the characters we love.

[treehousereader · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

DESCRIPTION, NOT REVIEW: Catch a professional assassin: top priority. Find a failure-to-appear and collect big bucks: top score. How she’ll pull it all off: top secret. Trenton, New Jersey’s favorite used-car dealer, Jimmy Poletti, was caught selling a lot more than used cars out of his dealerships. Now he’s out on bail and has missed his date in court, and bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is looking to bring him in. Leads are quickly turning into dead ends, and all too frequently into dead bodies. Even Joe Morelli, the city’s hottest cop, is struggling to find a clue to the suspected killer’s whereabouts. These are desperate times, and they call for desperate measures. So Stephanie is going to have to do something she really doesn’t want to do: protect former hospital security guard and general pain in her behind Randy Briggs. Briggs was picking up quick cash as Poletti’s bookkeeper and knows all his boss’s dirty secrets. Now Briggs is next on Poletti’s list of people to put six feet under. To top things off, Ranger—resident security expert and Stephanie’s greatest temptation—has been the target of an assassination plot. He’s dodged the bullet this time, but if Ranger wants to survive the next attempt on his life, he’ll have to enlist Stephanie’s help and reveal a bit more of his mysterious past. Death threats, highly trained assassins, highly untrained assassins, and Stark Street being overrun by a pack of feral Chihuahuas are all in a day’s work for Stephanie Plum. The real challenge is dealing with her Grandma Mazur’s wild bucket list. A boob job and getting revenge on Joe Morelli’s Grandma Bella can barely hold a candle to what’s number one on the list—but that’s top secret.