In "Takedown Twenty," New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum finds herself entangled in a case that hits uncomfortably close to home when notorious mobster Salvatore "Uncle Sunny" Sunucchi skips bail. Accused of a double-hit-and-run, Uncle Sunny proves incredibly elusive, with no one – from his poker buddies to his 'bimbo' girlfriend – willing to turn him in. To complicate matters further, Trenton's hottest cop and Stephanie's on-again, off-again love interest, Joe Morelli, has a personal stake: Uncle Sunny is his actual godfather. While Morelli respects the law, his old-world grandmother, Bella, actively interferes with Stephanie's investigation, adding a layer of comedic chaos. As Stephanie navigates family loyalties, mob dealings, and her perpetually messy love life with Morelli and Ranger, she must use all her unconventional skills to bring down a target everyone else seems determined to protect, all while trying to avoid collateral damage and maintain a semblance of sanity.
Critical Reception
"This installment continues Janet Evanovich's beloved Stephanie Plum series, delighting long-time fans with its signature blend of slapstick humor, quirky characters, and lighthearted mystery."
Adaptations
The Stephanie Plum series has seen a film adaptation of its first novel, "One for the Money."