Christmas in bounty hunter Stephanie Plum's world isn't quite like Christmas in Whoville. With only four days to go before December 25, she doesn't have a decorated tree in her apartment or any presents bought. Plus she's chasing an elusive bail-jumper named Sandy Claws; a hunky guy named Diesel is literally popping in and out of her apartment; and a mob of manic elves is threatening to assault her with cookies. The end result is that Stephanie is feeling a tad stressed over the holiday season. Life isn't any calmer over at her parents' home in the Burg, where Grandma Mazur is dating a new octogenarian stud muffin; sister Valerie is wailing over some unwelcome news; and Stephanie's mother is coping by belting back tumblers of Red Roses in the kitchen. Just where is the elusive Mr. Claws hiding, and why? What's causing the power blackouts all over Trenton? And what about the mysterious villain, Mr. Ring? Is all of this real, or is Stephanie just having a very bad dream?
Janet Evanovich's mysteries are eagerly awaited by fans everywhere and this holiday installment won't disappoint. With a returning cast of entertaining, quirky characters and a rock-solid setting in New Jersey wrapped around an intriguing mystery, Evanovich delivers yet another hilarious adventure featuring irrepressible bounty hunter Stephanie Plum. --Lois Faye Dyer
From Publishers Weekly
Fans of the Stephanie Plum series won't be disappointed with this wonderful adaptation of Evanovich's Christmas tale. Although it's somewhat less creative than some of her other novels, this is still an amusing tale. The story begins with the mysterious arrival of Diesel, a tall, handsome stranger who appears in bounty hunter Stephanie Plum's kitchen. He's caught Stephanie at a bad time: not only is she woefully behind on her Christmas shopping, but she hasn't been able to locate bail-jumper Sandy Claws. As usual, she's got family problems, too. Her sister is pregnant, her grandmother has a new boyfriend and her mother is drinking more than usual. Listeners who aren't familiar with Evanovich's cast of characters may find this adaptation a little hard to follow at first. However, the recitation-complete with a dead-on old lady voice for Grandma and squeals from the elves-is so vivid that listeners will soon recognize the different voices and characters. Actress and veteran audio reader King's command of language and pacing is evident, and the three hour adaptation flies by.Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From AudioFile
When a big, handsome, ill-mannered stranger appears inexplicably in her kitchen, New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is tossed into a Christmas adventure neither she nor the listener will likely forget. Lorelei King narrates the story without giving much nuance to Plum's character. She pulls out the stops, however, with the supporting characters: Stephanie's born-to-be-wild grandmother; her niece who wants to be a pony; her cop boyfriend, Joe Morelli; a midget con man named Briggs; and the mysterious "Diesel," who may be an alien, a superhero, or the Ghost of Christmas Present. While pursuing a bond-skipping toy maker, Stephanie has her car and her Christmas tree blown up by an octogenarian supervillain, is chased by a horde of angry elves, and must suffer the holiday guilt provided by her mother. S.E.S. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
From Booklist
This magical little sweetmeat is clearly a Christmas present from Evanovich to the legions of fans of Stephanie Plum, Trenton bounty hunter. It begins just before Christmas, when a tall, long-haired blond in boots and jeans materializes in Stephanie's kitchen. Really--the door and windows are locked. He says his name is Diesel, and he needs Stephanie's help to find someone. She's looking for someone herself, a toy maker named Sandy Claws who has skipped his court appearance. Crazed elves (really little persons with fake ears), the inevitable blown-up car, and the latest in Grandma Mazur's boyfriends form a counterpoint to Stephanie's incompetence at getting it together for the holidays, her sister Valerie's possible pregnancy by the unfortunately named Albert Kloughn, and a small, boxed gift from Morelli. Through it all, the ingratiating and very pretty Diesel appears and disappears, trying to track someone who may be close to Sandy Claws and hinting that he is not all he seems. If you don't know the characters, you'd be pretty confused, but if you do, you can surrender to the hint of fantasy and the heavenly scent of Christmas cookies from the Plum kitchen. GraceAnne DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
"A hilarious holiday novella...an unexpected treat that leaves you wanting more." -Chicago Tribune
"A sugar plum for Christmas, indeed...a Plum-crazy Christmas classic." -Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"May become a literary equivalent of It's A Wonderful Life...a warm, fuzzy wending despite the occasional explosion, smoldering plastic Santa, and rampaging elf." -Boston Globe
"A topnotch read...a cure-all for the blues no matter what the season." -The Oakland Press
"[A] special holiday treat." -The State (Columbia, SC)
Review
"A hilarious holiday novella...an unexpected treat that leaves you wanting more." -Chicago Tribune
"A sugar plum for Christmas, indeed...a Plum-crazy Christmas classic." -Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"May become a literary equivalent of It's A Wonderful Life...a warm, fuzzy wending despite the occasional explosion, smoldering plastic Santa, and rampaging elf." -Boston Globe
"A topnotch read...a cure-all for the blues no matter what the season." -The Oakland Press
"[A] special holiday treat." -The State (Columbia, SC)
Book Description
It's five days before Christmas and things are not looking merry for Fugitive Apprehension Agent Stephanie Plum. She hasn't got a tree. She hasn't bought any presents. The malls are jam-packed with staggering shoppers. There's not a twinkle light anywhere to be seen in her apartment-and there's a strange man in her kitchen.
Sure, this has happened to Stephanie Plum before. But this guy is different. He's mysterious, sexy-and has his own agenda. His name is Diesel, and he's on a mission. The question is, what does he want with her? Can he help her find a little old toy maker who has skipped out on his bail right before Christmas? Can he survive the Plum family holiday dinner? Can he get Stephanie a tree that doesn't look like it was grown next to a nuclear power plant? These questions and more are keeping Stephanie awake at night. Not to mention the fact that she needs to find a bunch of nasty elves, her sister Valerie has a Christmas "surprise" for the Plums, her niece Mary Alice doesn't believe in Santa anymore, and Grandma Mazur has a new stud muffin. So bring out the plastic reindeer, strap on your jingle bells, and get ready to celebrate the holidays-Jersey style.
From the Inside Flap
Praise for Visions of Sugar Plums
"May become a literary equivalent of It's A Wonderful Life...a warm, fuzzy wending despite the occasional explosion, smoldering plastic Santa, and rampaging elf." -Boston Globe
"A topnotch read...a cure-all for the blues no matter what the season." -The Oakland Press
"[A] special holiday treat." -The State (Columbia, SC)
From the Back Cover
The World of Plum Has Never Been Merrier!
It's five days before Christmas and things are not looking merry for Fugitive Apprehension Agent Stephanie Plum. She hasn't got a tree. She hasn't bought any presents. The malls are jam-packed with staggering shoppers. There's not a twinkle light anywhere to be seen in her apartment-and there's a strange man in her kitchen.
Sure, this has happened to Stephanie Plum before. But this guy is different. He's mysterious, sexy-and has his own agenda. His name is Diesel, and he's on a mission. The question is, what does he want with her? Can he help her find a little old toy maker who has skipped out on his bail right before Christmas? Can he survive the Plum family holiday dinner? Can he get Stephanie a tree that doesn't look like it was grown next to a nuclear power plant? These questions and more are keeping Stephanie awake at night. Not to mention the fact that she needs to find a bunch of nasty elves, her sister Valerie has a Christmas "surprise" for the Plums, her niece Mary Alice doesn't believe in Santa anymore, and Grandma Mazur has a new stud muffin. So bring out the plastic reindeer, strap on your jingle bells, and get ready to celebrate the holidays-Jersey style.
About the Author
Bestselling author Janet Evanovich is the recipient of the Crime Writers Association's John Creasy Memorial, Last Laugh, and Silver Dagger awards, as well as the Left Coast Crime's Lefty award, and is the two-time recipient of the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association's Dilys award. She lives in New Hampshire, where she is at work on her next Stephanie Plum novel.
Visions of Sugar Plums FROM THE PUBLISHER
"It's four days before Christmas and things are not looking merry for fugitive apprehension agent Stephanie Plum. She hasn't got a tree. She hasn't bought any presents. The malls are jam-packed with staggering shoppers. There's not a twinkle light anywhere to be seen in her apartment. And there's a strange man in her kitchen." Sure, this has happened to Stephanie Plum before. Strangers, weirdos, felons, creeps, and lunatics are always finding their way to her front door. But this guy is different. This guy is mysterious, sexy - and he has his own agenda. His name is Diesel and he is a man on a mission. Diesel is unlike anyone Stephanie has ever met before in her life. The question is, What does he want with her? Can he help her find a little old toy maker who has skipped out on his bail right before Christmas? Can he survive the Plum family holiday dinner? Can he get Stephanie a tree that doesn't look like it was grown next to a nuclear power plant? These questions and more are keeping Stephanie awake at night. Not to mention the fact that she needs to find a bunch of nasty elves, her sister Valerie has a Christmas "surprise" for the Plums, her niece Mary Alice doesn't believe in Santa anymore, and Grandma Mazur has a new stud muffin. So bring out the plastic reindeer, strap on your jingle bells, and get ready to celebrate the holidays - Jersey style. Visions of Sugar Plums - the world of Plum has never been merrier!
SYNOPSIS
It's five days before Christmas and things are not looking merry for Fugitive Apprehension Agent Stephanie Plum, especially when a strange man appears in her kitchen.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
Fans of the Stephanie Plum series won't be disappointed with this wonderful adaptation of Evanovich's Christmas tale. Although it's somewhat less creative than some of her other novels, this is still an amusing tale. The story begins with the mysterious arrival of Diesel, a tall, handsome stranger who appears in bounty hunter Stephanie Plum's kitchen. He's caught Stephanie at a bad time: not only is she woefully behind on her Christmas shopping, but she hasn't been able to locate bail-jumper Sandy Claws. As usual, she's got family problems, too. Her sister is pregnant, her grandmother has a new boyfriend and her mother is drinking more than usual. Listeners who aren't familiar with Evanovich's cast of characters may find this adaptation a little hard to follow at first. However, the recitation-complete with a dead-on old lady voice for Grandma and squeals from the elves-is so vivid that listeners will soon recognize the different voices and characters. Actress and veteran audio reader King's command of language and pacing is evident, and the three hour adaptation flies by. Simultaneous release with the St. Martin's hardcover (Forecasts, Oct. 21). (Oct.) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
Stephanie Plum, the least organized bounty hunter and holiday shopper (Hard Eight, 2002, etc.) in Trenton, New Jersey, has never much cared whether 'tis the season to be jolly. Nor is there much hope for this Yule, given the way it's started. Steph's sitting at her ease in her kitchen, sipping morning coffee, enjoying special time with Rex, her pet hamster, when "poof, there he was," all six-feet-plus of him-blond wavy hair, dazzling smile, pecs out of the bodybuilder's Hall of Fame, calling himself Diesel (just the one name, thanks). Sure, says Steph, but who is he? she wants to know; forgive her for not taking too seriously his claim to be "the friggin Spirit of Christmas." Still, there's definitely something strange about this spectral hunk. Unwilling to be a bounty hunter who's not ready to accept fate's occasional bounties, Steph enlists Diesel in hunting her latest Failure to Appear: a toy-maker named (brace yourself) Sandy Klaws. He's wanted on a burglary charge, though it turns out there are extenuating circumstances. Off they go, Steph and her supercharged ad hoc sidekick, who, if he's not actually extraterrestrial, is certainly extra sexy, as several Plum women attest. (Grandma Mazur: "A pip." Sister Valerie: "Dang.") Plotting gets short shrift in this thinnest of Plum puddings, but there's one scene Steph's fans won't want to miss: the Jersey girl chased from a toy factory by a mob of enraged elves. Not for everyone, but come all ye faithful.
Art & Photography
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