One Sentence Summary
A holiday-themed installment in the Stephanie Plum series finds our feisty bounty hunter dealing with a gang of holiday-themed thugs and a mysterious stranger named Diesel.
Book Genre
Mystery/Thriller
Main Topic of the Book
The main topic of “Visions of Sugar Plums” is Stephanie Plum’s attempt to catch a group of holiday-themed criminals while also dealing with the arrival of the mysterious Diesel.
Key Ideas
- Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is tasked with catching a group of thugs known as “The Plum Pudding Bandits.”
- Plum also encounters Diesel, a handsome and enigmatic stranger with incredible powers.
- The holidays prove to be a challenge for Plum, as she deals with family drama and romantic tension.
Main Parts of the Book and a Short Summary
- Part One: The Plum Pudding Bandits – Stephanie Plum is hired by her boss Vinnie to track down a group of holiday-themed criminals who have been targeting local businesses. She is assisted by her grandmother and loyal sidekick Lula, as well as Diesel, who appears to have a connection to the criminals.
- Part Two: The Mysterious Stranger – Diesel reveals that he is an “Unmentionable,” a person with supernatural abilities, and asks for Plum’s help in protecting a valuable treasure. As they work together, sparks fly between them, creating tension between Plum and her on-again-off-again boyfriend Joe Morelli.
- Part Three: Family Secrets – As Plum navigates her complicated love life, she also deals with family drama as her mother and grandmother fight over her affections. Meanwhile, the Plum Pudding Bandits continue to cause trouble, leading to a final showdown where Diesel’s true intentions are revealed.
Key Takeaways
- The holiday season can be a chaotic and exciting time, especially for a bounty hunter like Stephanie Plum.
- Families, both blood-related and chosen, play a significant role in Plum’s life and can provide both support and conflict.
- Love and romance can be complicated, especially when a mysterious and attractive stranger is thrown into the mix.
- The line between good and evil can sometimes be blurred, as seen with Diesel’s complex motivations.
Author’s Background and Qualifications
Janet Evanovich is a bestselling author known for her Stephanie Plum series, which has sold over 20 million copies worldwide. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked as a receptionist, a florist, and a legal secretary. Her experience in these various jobs has influenced her writing, particularly her descriptions of Plum’s eccentric and hilarious family members. Evanovich is also a recipient of the Crime Writers’ Association John Creasey Memorial, Last Laugh, and Silver Dagger awards.
Target Audience
“Visions of Sugar Plums” is targeted towards fans of the Stephanie Plum series, as well as readers who enjoy lighthearted mystery novels with a touch of romance and humor. The book may also appeal to those who enjoy holiday-themed stories.
Publisher and First Publication Date
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
First Publication Date: November 2002