| PRODUCT DETAILS | | Hard Eight (Stephanie Plum, No. 8) |  | |
Hard Eight (Stephanie Plum, No. 8)
The #1 bestselling phenomenon continues in the eighth Stephanie Plum novel. The stakes get higher, the crimes get nastier, the chases get faster, and the men get hotter.
This time Stephanie, Morelli, Ranger. Lula, Valerie, and Grandma Mazur are strapped in for the ride of their lives. Stephanie is hired to find a missing child. But things aren't always as they seem and Stephanie must determine if she's working for the right side of the law. Plus, there's the Morelli question: can a Jersey girl keep her head on straight when more than just bullets are aimed for her heart? And with the Plum and Morelli relationship looking rocky, is it time for Ranger to move in for the kill? Janet Evanovich's latest thriller proves that Hard Eight will never be enough.
Manufacturer: Macmillan Audio
Price Range: $3.94 - $36.95
 Hard Eight (Stephanie Plum, No. 8)
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| User Reviews |  | There were so many reviews I almost didn't bother
rating: 2
But I have to say this series is going downhill for me. The total lack of positive development in Stephanie's character makes her tedious and annoying. In fact, the only character who seems to be developing at all is Stephanie's mom. I found myself more interested in her than I was in her daughter at times.
SPOILERS
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One thing I hate in a book is the implausible action that leads to the Big Event. There is NO WAY Morelli would have handed her the keys to his truck to go get pizza BY HERSELF while the crazy maniac after her was still at large. Especially when there were cops galore who could take her, or a phone to get delivery. It was just pointless and stupid. And not necessary. Said cop taking her to Pino's could have been ambushed and there you go.
And to add to that dissatisfaction we get Stephanie sleeping with Ranger (we all knew that was going to happen sooner or later -- and I was just glad she wasn't actually *cheating* on Morelli) and then bopping right back to Joe about 24 hours later with zero awkwardness. And Joe is like a teenager, thinking her harrowing brush with a sexual sadist murderer is a catalyst for a night in the sack.
Add to that Ranger's turning into a coercive seducer (even as he admits Joe's a 'good guy' who 'loves her') and you've got the makings of a real bummer.
Because I'm irrevocably turned off by cheating and adultery I felt the need to spoil myself by looking ahead at reviews on Amazon. Unfortunately I see that Stephanie is going to go further down the skank hole and become truly faithless and that's just not for me. I'd be fine with Ranger as a love interest if Joe weren't still in the picture, but there he is and, regardless of his scummy past, he's been a good guy since the beginning. I have to like the lead character in the book and it's looking bad for Steph. I recently posted on a message board that I'm ready for both men to dump her and find someone else. I shouldn't feel that way about the heroine, should I?
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SPOILER END
The slapstick comedy is not as funny as it once was, because we have a foundation now and, without development Stephanie is just a stubborn idiot who really shouldn't be doing that job. The reader should feel some sympathy, I think, but it's just not happening anymore since the woman is just so stuck on her bad habits.
So why do I give it two stars instead of one? Because Mom and Valerie had some great moments and I appreciated those.
Personally, I think it's not always in the series' best interest to go on forever. I'm starting to prefer an arc in a five to seven book series over the never-ending saga.
I recommend buying Hard Eight and all following Plum books used or getting them from the library. Sad to say it, though. The series started off so magnificently. :-(
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JanetEvanovich
rating: 5
THIS IS A GREAT BOOK. IT IS NUMBER 8 IN THE SERIES AND IS JUST AS GOOD AS THE PREVIOUS 7! I LOVE THE STORY AND THE CHARACTERS. THEY JUST KEEP GETTING BETTER.
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hard eight
rating: 5
The book was in great shape upon receipt and arrived in 2 days. I have been pleased with the service I get from Amazon.com.
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FINALLY, Stephanie!
rating: 5
This is the book I have been waiting for, she finally get's it on with Ranger!
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Great Read, Full of Spice
rating: 4
If you were left holding your breath or picking your jaw off the floor at the conclusion of Seven Up, then you are in for a real treat in Hard Eight. Fugitive Apprehension Agent (aka Bounty Hunter) Stephanie Plum is back trying to make the streets of Trenton, New Jersey a little safer. Her parents neighbor Mabel Markvitz approaches Stephanie to try to enlist her help to find her daughter Evelyn and her granddaughter Annie. Mabel fears this has something to do with Evelyn's ex-husband Steven Soder. Unfortunately for Stephanie, she soon learns that Steven's business partner Eddie Abruzzi wants something for Evelyn too. Abruzzi declares war on Stephanie, leaving his goons to make her life miserable and dangerous. Stepanie, LuLu and Evelyn's attorney Albert Kloughn are on the hunt for Evelyn, Annie, and the FTA Andy Bender. After losing several pairs of handcuffs, a few cars not to mention a rabid rabbit on the loose Stephanie is forced to enlist the aid of Ranger, Bounty Hunter extraordinaire. Ranger is more than willing to help and collect on his debt, which leaves Stephanie panting and nervous. Not to mention Joe Morelli, her on again off again boyfriend/ fiancé etc. around every corner. Once again Janet Evanovich uses well-executed storylines and witty character narratives to pull the reader on an exciting roller coaster. Full of laughs, twists and a night alone with Ranger, Hard Eight delivers everything the reader wants and then some.
Valerie Jones
mrsvaljones@netzero.net
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Hard Eight (Stephanie Plum, No. 8)
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