Is it funny? Yes.

Does it have a lot of romantic tension? Yes.

Does it have a good villain? Yes.

Is the mystery interesting? Yes.

Are the characters still fun? Yes.

What more do you want out of a summer beach book?

I’ve heard some reviewers bemoan Ms. Plum’s lack of dynamic character development throughout the series. They would like to see Stephanie grow, or change, or mature, or develop, or choose between Ranger and Joe, or become a monk and move to Tibet, or join the Galactic Alliance and fight the Mucus Monsters of Planet Nostril.

I disagree. I think the formula is perfect. It’s fun, fast-paced, and always good for some laughs.

You wouldn’t ask Walt Disney to make Mickey Mouse more grown-up. Especially since Disney has been dead for several decades.

You shouldn’t ask Janet Evanovich to change Stephanie, either. Both Stephanie, and Janet, are perfect the way they are, and I hope they stay that way for many more books.