The criticisms levied by other reviewers are completely on-target. The writing is unimaginative. The humor is forced, and declines to the level of pre-adolescent bathroom jokes. The dog scene was stupid. Even Grandma didn't amuse me. The plot was almost non-existent. There was no mystery, no suspense, no thrills. The characters just went through the motions. How can Morelli and Ranger be boring? Well, they are in this book. You never get to know the villain, and honestly, you don't care. And yes....way too much discussion about doughnuts and shower gel!

Where were the editors? I agree it appears that someone else wrote the book, or at least parts of it. Maybe Ms. Evanovich's daughter is writing this series, while Janet focuses on the next Jamie Swift / Max Holt book. The writing style is very dull. It lacks the sparkle of the early Stephanie Plum books. There is no motivation given for any of the characters' actions. Sub-plots within the book are never resolved, and some simply disappear. The book even lacks continuity - one action scene I re-read three times trying to figure out how the characters went from riding in an SUV to a Porsche and back to an SUV....where did the skip, who was riding in the back seat, go when the text switched to the Porsche!?

I would never recommend this book to someone new to a Stephanie Plum novel. I am hoping the author does better by her characters, and her fans, in the next offering. She must move the characters along in life both physically and emotionally. She must evolve some of the relatiohship sub-plots, and yes, she needs to introduce some new characters. Introducing us to one of the "Bat Caves" isn't enough. At the very least she needs to make us laugh again and care about the story.

I will gladly wait LONGER than a year for her next book, if it returns to the standard of quality of her earlier works.

PS I had preferred Morelli until this book. Now its Ranger all the way!!!!