Dirty Thirty: A Stephanie Plum Mystery

Trenton, N.J., bounty hunter Stephanie Plum looks into a pair of jewelry heists in her goofy, good-natured latest adventure from bestseller Evanovich (after 2022’s Going Rogue). Martin Plover, owner of one of Trenton’s best-known jewelry stores, asks Stephanie to track down his missing security guard, Andy “Nutsy” Manley, who Plover believes stole a tray of diamonds valued at nearly a million dollars from his safe. Stephanie gladly accepts, seeing the job as a quick cash grab—she’s known Nutsy since childhood—and a nice complement to her other gig trailing Duncan Dugan, who jumped bail after being arrested for robbing Plover’s store on the same day Nutsy went missing (though he conclusively didn’t steal the diamonds). Joining Stephanie in her investigations are her flamboyant best friend Lula, and Bob, an excitable dog she’s taking care of for her boyfriend, Morelli, while he’s out of town. Series fans know what they’re in for, and Evanovich delivers it: quick wit, sly clue-dropping, and a well-utilized supporting cast including Stephanie’s irrepressible Grandma Mazur and the sexy Ranger, owner of a high-end security business who offers Stephanie backup (and a bed) as needed. This is fast-paced and laugh-filled fun. Agent: Celeste Fine, Park and Fine. (Oct.)

Correction: An earlier version of this review mistakenly identified the setting as Newark, N.J. The review has also been updated to reflect changes made prior to publication.