One for the Money (1994) (edit title/settings)

Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit see section history

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Summary edit see section history

Characters edit see section history

• Stephanie Plum: Confident and smart girl who becomes a bounty hunter due to financial reasons. She is kind but not to everyone; if she gets mad, bad things could happen. The Heroine of the series.
• Benito Ramirez: The angry boxer who calls himself, "the champ." He abuses women and he associates in risky business. He is crazy and thinks that he can do what he wants because of his boxing ability.
• Rex: Stephanie's pet hamster
• Ranger: Cuban-American; Stephanie's loyal friend who is a fellow bounty hunter. He is smart and has a lot of experience. He is strong and confident too. Teaching Stephanie the "ropes" of bounty-hunting.
• Vincent Plum: He's Stephanie cousin and her boss at Plum Bond Agency. He usually found in his office, Stephanie blackmailed him to get bounty job, and hired her rival Joyce Bernhardt as bounty hunter.
• Carmen Sanchez: The murder of Ziggy took place in her apartment and now she is missing.
• Grandma Mazur: Stephanie's grandmother. She is the LOL of the story in mind. Watch out chickens. Lives at home with Stephanie's parents. Is witty and comical. Full of energy and life.
• Ziggy Kulesza: Shot by Joe - "plugged" according to Grandma; Center of the mystery plot
• Jackie: Lula’s fellow hooker friend. Known to wait for business at a corner at Stark Street. Sometimes gives information to Stephanie. Loyal to those she trusts.
• Dorsey: Plainclothes police detective.
• Morty Beyers: Bounty hunter who was first assigned to Morelli's case. In his absence, Stephanie gets the file. Old and crusty.
• Connie: She's the office manager for Plums Bond Agency, you have to pass her desk to get to Vinnie, and one of her relative belong to the mob. She usually bailed out their client out of lockout. She know how to use a gun.
• Sal Bocha: The butcher and book maker in town.
• Bernie Kuntz: Stephanie's mother is trying to fix Stephanie up and he's on her list. He works selling appliances.
• Lonnie Dodd: A skipped bond for auto theft that Stephanie brings in.
• Clarence Sampson: Stephanie's first recovery. A drunk who stole and wrecked a police cruiser.
• Lula: She's a full figured black woman, who used to be a ho, and works at Plums Bond Agency as a file clerk. She helps Stephanie with her apprehension, usually in spandex or animal prints a size to small for her, and she's usually packing heat.
• Grandma Mazer: Stephanie's grandma is a widow who hunts for men at the local funeral parlor. Love her! She lives at Stephanie's parent's house. Is witty. Comical.
• Shirley Gallo: Mooch's wife
• E. E. Martin: A lingerie company that Stephanie worked for as a buyer before being laid off.
• Jimmy Alpha: Benito Ramirez's promoter and manager. Protector of Ramirez's and all that he does.
• Pino's: Pizzeria where Stephanie eats often.
• John Kuzack: Lives in the same building as Carmen. He is the one who took down Morelli after he shot Ziggy.
• Lenny Gruber: Works for a repo company and Stephanie is behind on her Miata payments; also went to high school with him.
• Mrs. Santiago: Hispanic woman who lives next door to Carmen.
• Hamilton: The neighborhood Stephanie lives in.
• Helen: Stephanie's mother who is always getting on her case about her job and men in her life. Known for her cooking.
• Emilio: Owner of the pawn shop where Stephanie trades in all of her valuables.
• Sunny: Feisty, bleached blonde woman who owns the gun shop
• Valerie: Stephanie's sister
• Mary Lou Molnar: Stephanie's best friend
• Crazy Carl Costanza: Works at the jail
• Eddie Gazarra: Life long friend of Stephanie's. Is a cop and is married to her cousin.
• Mooch Morelli: Morelli's cousin.
• Dillon Ruddick: Stephanie's building super.
• Gus Dembrowski: PC (Plain clothes) Police working the Morelli case
• Louis: Hired hitman
• Ronald Buzick: Neighborhood butcher Stephanie's mom wants to fir her up with
• Mr. Wolesky: Stephanie's neighbor
• Frank: Stephanie's Dad
• Lucille: Cousin Vinnie's wife
• Francie: Stephanie's cousin who knows everything about everyone
• Mrs. Morelli: Joseph Morelli's mother
• Joseph Anthony Morelli: A cop for the city. Wanted for murder in book one. Has a small past with Stephanie. Has sexual tension between Stephanie and him. Resourceful.
• Dickie Orr: Stephanie Plum's ex husband who is a lawyer.
• Ricardo Carlos Mañoso: AKA Ranger - Bail Bondsman. A man of many talents and devices.
• E.E. Martin: Add a description of this character.

Quotes edit see section history

• “He would have killed you if you hadn't killed him first.”

  Morelli

• “It's early yet, Ramirez does his best work at night.”

  Morelli

• “Honey, you telling me you stole Morelli's car? Girl, he gonna kick you skinny white butt.”

  Lula

• ““Dang,” Grandma said, “guess I left the wrong hole empty.” She leaned forward to examine her handiwork. “Not bad for my first time with a gun. I shot that sucker right in the gumpy.””

  Grandma after loading the gun...

• “For crissake, don't just stand there. Haul ass!”

  Joe Morelli

Setting & Locations edit see section history

• Stark Street
• Trenton
• New Jersey
• Vinny's Bond Agency

First Sentence edit see section history

Table of Contents edit see section history

Series & Lists edit see section history

Followed by Two for the Dough.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

1. Janet Evanovich (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Awards edit see section history

• Shamus Award (Finalist, 1995: Best First P.I. Novel)
• Dilys Award (1995)

Classification edit see section history

• Library of Congress: PS3555.V2126 O5 1994
• Dewey: 813.54

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Contains sexual innuendos and strong language. And there is mention of drugs and violence

Subjects edit see section history

• Books › Mystery & Thrillers › Authors, A-Z › ( E ) › Evanovich, Janet
• Books › Mystery & Thrillers › Mystery › Women Sleuths
• Books › Literature & Fiction › Contemporary

Movie Connections edit see section history

• One for the money (IMDb): Unemployed and newly-divorced Stephanie Plum lands a job at her cousin's bail-bond business, where her first assignment puts her on the trail of a wanted local cop from her romantic past.

More Books Like This edit see section history