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- Title: Look Alive Twenty-Five: A Stephanie Plum Novel
- Author: Janet Evanovich
- Narrator: Lorelei King
- Length: 06:47:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 13/11/2018
- Publisher: Penguin Audio
- Genre: Romance, Mystery, Thriller & Horror, Detective Stories, Rom-Com
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
There’s something magical about discovering an audiobook that perfectly complements your surroundings. I remember listening to this Stephanie Plum adventure while navigating the chaotic streets of Naples – the perfect parallel to Trenton’s organized chaos. Janet Evanovich’s twenty-fifth installment in this beloved series proves some literary recipes only get better with time, like the perfect pot of marinara or in this case, the Red River Deli’s famous pastrami.
The story unfolds like a well-stuffed sandwich – layers of mystery (where are those deli managers disappearing to?), romance (will it be Morelli or Ranger this time?), and comedy (Lula’s alien abduction theories) all packed between slices of Evanovich’s signature wit. What makes this audiobook experience exceptional is how Lorelei King’s narration elevates every ingredient. Her performance reminds me of those Oaxacan grandmother’s stories – she doesn’t just read the book, she becomes every character, from Stephanie’s pragmatic inner monologue to Grandma Mazur’s delightfully inappropriate commentary.
King’s vocal artistry particularly shines in:
1. The hilarious back-and-forth between Stephanie and Lula (you can practically see Lula’s wild leopard-print outfits)
2. The sensual growl she gives Ranger that makes even this jaded traveler blush
3. The perfect comedic timing on Grandma Mazur’s one-liners
Evanovich’s Trenton feels as vividly real as any city I’ve wandered through in my travels. The sensory details – the smell of frying dough at the bail bonds office, the squeak of Stephanie’s ancient Toyota, the crunch of a donut at a crime scene – create such immersive world-building that I found myself craving a Trenton tomato pie while listening.
As someone who’s spent years studying how cultures express themselves through food, I particularly appreciated how the deli serves as both setting and character. Those disappearing managers create a mystery as intriguing as any I’ve encountered in my global wanderings, though with significantly more comedic interludes involving exploding cars and accidentally stolen chickens.
The audiobook’s pacing (just over 6 hours) makes it perfect for a road trip or, in my case, while waiting out a rainstorm in a Palenque café. King maintains perfect rhythm, knowing exactly when to let a punchline breathe or when to amp up the tension during action sequences.
While the Stephanie Plum formula remains comfortingly familiar, Evanovich does introduce fresh elements here:
– Stephanie’s reluctant managerial role adds new comedic dimensions
– The mystery has genuine stakes despite the humor
– Morelli and Ranger’s dynamics evolve in satisfying ways
If I had one quibble, it’s that some supporting characters occasionally verge into caricature. But in an audiobook this entertaining, that’s like complaining there’s too much cheese on your lasagna.
For fans of romantic comedy mysteries, this is audio comfort food at its finest – like finding a perfect neighborhood deli in a foreign city. The production quality from Penguin Audio is superb, with crystal clear recording that captures every nuance of King’s performance.
Standout moments include:
– The disastrous (and hilarious) deli management attempts
– Any scene involving Grandma Mazur and her unique worldview
– Lula’s increasingly elaborate alien conspiracy theories
– The climactic confrontation that’s equal parts tense and funny
With a traveler’s appreciation for stories that feel like home,
Marcus
Marcus Rivera
