Book Review: Fortune and Glory by Janet Evanovich

Fortune and Glory
Author: Janet Evanovich
Series: Stephanie Plum (Book 27)
Publication: Atria Books (November 3, 2020)

Description: From “the most popular mystery writer alive” (The New York Times), the twenty-seventh thrilling entry in the #1 New York Times bestselling series isn’t just the biggest case of Stephanie Plum’s career. It’s the adventure of a lifetime.

When Stephanie’s beloved Grandma Mazur’s new husband died on their wedding night, the only thing he left her was a beat-up old easy chair…and the keys to a life-changing fortune.

But as Stephanie and Grandma Mazur search for Jimmy Rosolli’s treasure, they discover that they’re not the only ones on the hunt. Two dangerous enemies from the past stand in their way—along with a new adversary who’s even more formidable: Gabriela Rose, a dark-eyed beauty from Little Havana with a taste for designer clothes. She’s also a soldier of fortune, a gourmet cook, an expert in firearms and mixed martial arts—and someone who’s about to give Stephanie a real run for her money.

Stephanie may be in over her head, but she’s got two things that Gabriela doesn’t: an unbreakable bond with her family and a stubborn streak that will never let her quit.

She’ll need both to survive because this search for “fortune and glory” will turn into a desperate race against time with more on the line than ever before. Because even as she searches for the treasure and fights to protect her Grandma Mazur, her own deepest feelings will be tested—as Stephanie could finally be forced to choose between Joe Morelli and Ranger.

My Thoughts: The 27th Stephanie Plum novel is filled with exploding cars and humor. Stephanie is on a treasure hunt with her Grandma Mazur. Grandma's 45-minute husband Jimmy Rossoli left her the keys to a treasure but lots of other villains don't want her to have it. 

Stephanie has to hunt down clues while still doing her job as fugitive apprehension agent in Trenton, New Jersey. She has three men to find and bring back to jail if she wants to make her rent: George Potts was arrested for streaking down Hamilton Avenue and using the sidewalk in front of Tasty Pastry Bakery as a bathroom. Arnold Rugalowski was caught on camera putting fried roaches in his wife's bucket of chicken, and Rodney Trotter was arrested for giving silicone butt implants out of the back of his van. 

Naturally, none of the men she's after want to go back to jail and hijinks occur as she and Lula try to find them and get them back to the jail. However, Potts is the most clueless and does go back to jail. He's so pathetic that Stephanie posts his bail and earns the life-long devotion of a clueless nerd who is determined to be her bodyguard. 

This was another fun episode in the Stephanie Plum series. I like her ability to just go with the flow when she is confronted by absurdities and gangsters who want her dead. I love her love life as she can't decide between Joe Morelli and Ranger. And Lula and Grandma Mazur always bring humor to the story. 

Favorite Quote:

Cultural appropriation is a good thing here. Polish housewives share recipes with their Italian neighbors. Kielbasa, macaroni and red sauce, Cozido a Portuguesa, enchiladas, burgers, goulash, pot roast, pirogis, pad thai. We eat it all. The American melting pot is alive and healthy in Burg kitchens.

I bought this one October 2, 2021. You can buy your copy here.