Stephanie Plum Books in Order books in order

Stephanie Plum Books in Order

About the Author

Janet Evanovich is a bestselling American author who transformed from writing romance novels to creating one of the most popular mystery series in modern fiction. Born in New Jersey in 1943, she drew from her hometown roots to create the authentic Trenton setting that gives the Stephanie Plum series its distinctive flavor.

The Stephanie Plum series follows an unemployed lingerie buyer from Trenton, New Jersey, who takes a job as a bounty hunter with her cousin Vinnie’s bail bonds office. Armed with little more than attitude and determination, Stephanie tracks down fugitives while dealing with her overbearing family, her plus-sized sidekick Lula, and two very different men vying for her affections.

Janet Evanovich created Stephanie after growing tired of writing straight romance novels. Drawing inspiration from the 1988 film “Midnight Run,” she wanted a protagonist who cared about hair and shoes but could still chase down criminals. The result is a refreshingly imperfect heroine who stumbles through cases, survives countless car explosions, and somehow always gets her man.

The books blend mystery, comedy, and romance in a way that keeps readers coming back. Stephanie isn’t a brilliant detective or trained fighter—she’s relatable, flawed, and often in way over her head. Her investigations frequently go sideways, her vehicles have a habit of exploding, and she can’t cook to save her life. But her persistence, humor, and genuine care for people make her impossible not to root for.

Central to the series is Stephanie’s ongoing love triangle with two very different men. Joe Morelli, a Trenton cop and her on-again, off-again boyfriend since high school, represents stability and commitment. Ranger, a mysterious and dangerously sexy fellow bounty hunter, offers excitement and no-strings-attached romance. After 30 books, Stephanie still hasn’t chosen, much to readers’ delight and frustration.

The supporting cast adds tremendous depth and humor. Grandma Mazur, Stephanie’s gun-toting, funeral-crashing grandmother, steals every scene she’s in. Lula, a former prostitute who works at the bonds office, provides comic relief and backup on dangerous apprehensions. Vinnie, Stephanie’s sleazy bail bondsman cousin, gives her the cases no one else wants. Together, they create a dysfunctional but lovable family.

Set in the blue-collar neighborhoods of Trenton, the series captures the quirks of New Jersey life—the diners, the attitude, the family gatherings where everyone knows your business. Evanovich’s hometown roots shine through, creating an authentic backdrop for Stephanie’s misadventures.

The series has sold over 200 million copies worldwide and spawned a 2012 film adaptation starring Katherine Heigl. While the movie didn’t capture the books’ magic, the novels themselves remain bestsellers, with each new release debuting at number one on the New York Times list.