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- Title: Turbo Twenty-Three: A Stephanie Plum Novel
- Author: Janet Evanovich
- Narrator: Lorelei King
- Length: 06:13:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 15/11/2016
- Publisher: Random House (Audio)
- Genre: Romance, Mystery, Thriller & Horror, Detective Stories, Rom-Com
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
There’s something uniquely thrilling about diving into a story while you’re on the move, whether I’m navigating winding desert roads or tucked into a hammock in a remote village. The audiobook experience of ‘Turbo Twenty-Three: A Stephanie Plum Novel’ by Janet Evanovich, brought to life by Lorelei King, hit me like a burst of laughter on a long, dusty drive. This installment of the Stephanie Plum series – a delightful mash-up of mystery, thriller, detective story, and rom-com – unfolds like a road trip full of unexpected detours, quirky pit stops, and a whole lot of heart.
I’ve always been drawn to stories that capture the messiness of human connections, and Stephanie Plum’s world in Trenton, New Jersey, feels like a chaotic family reunion I didn’t know I needed. It reminds me of a time when I was driving through the Atacama Desert in Chile, listening to an audiobook that painted vivid, larger-than-life characters against a stark, surreal backdrop. Much like that experience, ‘Turbo Twenty-Three’ pairs a gritty setting with absurd humor and warmth. Stephanie, a bounty hunter with ‘virtually no marketable skills,’ is tasked with tracking down Larry Virgil, a small-time criminal who’s stumbled into a big-time mess involving a hijacked truck, premium bourbon, and a dead body frozen in a vat of Bogart ice cream, coated in chocolate and pecans. If that doesn’t scream quirky mystery, I don’t know what does.
But this isn’t just a detective story; it’s a rom-com thriller with layers of personal chaos. Stephanie’s juggling her mentor Ranger’s undercover assignment at the ice cream factory – where temptation comes in both sweet and steamy forms – and her complicated relationship with Joe Morelli, Trenton’s hottest cop. Add in late-night escapades with her sidekick Lula, the ever-eccentric Grandma Mazur, and a naked-and-afraid Randy Briggs, and you’ve got a recipe for hilarity. Listening to this audiobook, I couldn’t help but think of evenings spent in Oaxaca with a family whose grandmother spun tales with perfect comedic timing. The story unfolds like one of her yarns, full of colorful characters and unexpected twists, each chapter a new layer of the narrative onion – peeling back to reveal both humor and heart.
Let’s talk about the content and themes. Janet Evanovich has a knack for blending the absurdity of crime with the relatability of personal struggles, a bit like choosing your battles on a long journey. Stephanie’s life is a series of problems she didn’t ask for, yet she tackles them with a mix of grit and self-deprecation that resonates deeply. The mystery at the core – figuring out who’s sabotaging the Bogart factory and leaving bodies on ice – keeps the thriller aspect alive, while the romantic tension between Stephanie, Ranger, and Morelli adds a spicy rom-com edge. It’s a balance of danger and delight, much like navigating a bustling street market where every stall holds a surprise. You can almost taste the chocolate-dipped ice cream, hear the banter between Stephanie and Lula, and feel the sticky heat of Trenton summers.
Now, let’s get to the heart of this listening experience: Lorelei King’s narration. If I’ve learned anything from years of soaking in oral histories and storytelling traditions, it’s that a voice can make or break a tale. King is a master storyteller in her own right, delivering each character with distinct flair. Stephanie’s sarcastic wit comes through with just the right bite, while Ranger’s smoldering intensity practically melts through the speakers. Lula’s larger-than-life personality bursts with energy, and Grandma Mazur’s antics are laced with a mischievous charm that had me chuckling out loud. King’s pacing is spot-on, knowing exactly when to linger on a punchline or ramp up the tension during a chase. The audio quality itself is crisp and immersive, making this audiobook experience feel like you’re riding shotgun with Stephanie through the streets of Trenton. It’s the kind of narration that rivals those intimate storytelling nights in Oaxaca, where every pause and inflection draws you deeper into the world.
That said, I’ll offer a balanced perspective. While ‘Turbo Twenty-Three’ excels as a lighthearted mystery and rom-com, it’s not without its limitations. If you’re new to the Stephanie Plum series, jumping in at book twenty-three might leave you craving more backstory on the characters’ long-standing dynamics. The plot, while entertaining, leans heavily on Evanovich’s signature formula – quirky crime, romantic entanglements, and slapstick humor – which might feel repetitive to longtime fans. Yet, for me, these are minor bumps on an otherwise rollicking ride. The audiobook format, with King’s stellar performance, elevates even the familiar beats, making them fresh and engaging.
Comparing this to similar works, I’d place ‘Turbo Twenty-Three’ alongside other character-driven mystery rom-coms like Charlaine Harris’s Aurora Teagarden series, though Evanovich’s humor is decidedly more slapstick. It also shares DNA with romantic thrillers like those by Sandra Brown, but with a lighter, more comedic tone. If you enjoy detective stories with a side of romance and humor, this audiobook is a perfect fit.
Who would I recommend this to? If you’re a fan of mystery thrillers with a rom-com twist, or if you love diving into a detective story while multitasking – whether you’re on a road trip, cooking dinner, or just unwinding – this audiobook experience is for you. It’s also a fantastic pick for anyone who appreciates a strong, flawed heroine and a cast of unforgettable side characters. And while I can’t confirm if this specific audiobook is free, I’ll say that finding a free audiobook version of a gem like this would be the cherry on top of an already sweet deal. Check platforms like Audiobooks.com for potential offers or trials to snag this listening experience at no cost.
Reflecting on my own journey with this story, I found myself connecting to Stephanie’s knack for stumbling into chaos yet somehow coming out on top. It mirrors so many of my own travel misadventures – getting lost in a Moroccan souk only to find the best tagine of my life, or missing a ferry in Greece and ending up at a local festival. ‘Turbo Twenty-Three’ captures that same spirit of embracing the unexpected, and listening to it felt like swapping stories with an old friend over a roadside diner coffee. The audiobook format only deepened that connection, turning each chapter into a personal conversation.
So, my fellow travelers and story seekers, that’s my take on the ‘Turbo Twenty-Three’ audiobook. It’s a wild, laughter-filled ride through Trenton’s underbelly, made even sweeter by Lorelei King’s narration. I’d love to hear what you think – drop me a line or share your own listening adventures. Until the next story, keep exploring, keep listening, and keep finding magic in the mess. This is Marcus Rivera, signing off from the road.
