Ten Big Ones: A Stephanie Plum Novel    by Janet Evanovich Order:  USA  Can St. Martin's, 2004 (2004) Hardcover, Audio Read an Excerpt     Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth Stephanie Plum makes a living – precarious as it is – tracking down people who have skipped on their bail bonds. That doesn't sound too hazardous, unless one is acquainted with Stephanie. She has managed to destroy numerous cars(not all of them her own); several bodyguards guarding her body were put out of commission through ineptitude on Stephanie's part; and, in Ten Big Ones, a whole street gang is devoted to removing her from the scene ... permanently. While making a deli run with Lula, Stephanie's erstwhile companion and file clerk for her cousin the bail bondsman, Stephanie witnesses a robbery and firebombing and is the only one who can ID the robber. Before she knows it, she is the subject of a hit. Stephanie is told the 'Junkman' has arrived in Trenton, NJ from the coast for the sole purpose of doing her in. Ten Big Ones has enough mayhem to satisfy anyone's appetite for action. And enough quirky characters to people several books. Fortunately, they're all under the same cover and had me laughing outright. Lula, a redeemed 'ho', likes spandex animal print clothing at least one size too small and loves the lifestyle Stephanie has. Grandma Mazur is an unredeemed lover of funeral viewings and tries to share Stephanie's world whenever she can wheedle her way in. Stephanie is dedicated to her profession and will place herself in dangerous situations to get the job done. She's headstrong (bumbling at times), isn't too sure of the meaning of the word caution, and shows great indecision regarding the two hunks who show a decided interest in her. For a truly fun read with fast-moving action, read Ten Big Ones, tenth in Janet Ivanovich's popular Stephanie Plum series. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews